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Teaser Trailer lands for ‘The Hangover Part II’

Tel Benjamin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:58:13 +0000

The teaser trailer for the anticipated follow-up to 2009′s smash-hit comedy The Hangover has premiered online, reuniting “The Wolfpack” Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Stu (Ed Helms) with director Todd Philips for more morning-after mayhem. So what’s new? Well, the Vegas backdrop has been replaced by the chaotic city of Bangkok, which is a dirty punchline just waiting to happen.

Accompanied by a new teaser poster, the minute-long trailer reveals little beyond the new setting, a bald Galifianakis and a denim jacket-wearing monkey. Still, this tiny taste is enough to cement the film in my ‘most anticipated of the year’ list. I can’t wait to see what madness the boys get up to this time, especially how cameos from Bill Clinton, Liam Neeson and Mike Tyson — who returns from the first film — factor into the film.

The Hangover’s tale of three friends attempting to piece together the events of the previous night’s mayhem was one we could all relate to, indicative of the film’s whopping $467 million global box office. Not only does that make it the tenth highest grossing film of 2009, it’s also the highest grossing R-rated film in the United States OF ALL TIME. Stick that in your Na’vi pipe and smoke it, Jim.

The first film wasn’t only commercial success, but also a hit with the critics, winning awards at the BFCA, the BAFTAS and a Golden Globe for Best Comedy. With that in mind, a sequel was inevitable — in fact, it was already in the development stage before the first film even was released. That’s how confident Warner Bros. were in the final product.

In hindsight, it’s easy to see why. But after seeing the trailer for the orignal The Hangover back when it premiered in 2009, I confess to writing it off as “just another gross-out comedy.” It didn’t take long for me to change my tune after viewing Phillip’s hilariously cheeky and gloriously vulgar film, where it went straight to my number two comedy of the decade behind the untouchable Superbad.

But the question is: can lightning strike twice?

Check out the poster and trailer below.

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The Hangover Part 2 (Video Review)

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‘Apollo 18′ trailer hits the internet

New CONAN THE BARBARIAN trailer unleashed!

‘Apollo 18′ trailer hits the internet

Tel Benjamin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:01:39 +0000

Produced by Timur Bekmambetov — director of Day Watch, Night Watch and Wanted — and helmed by Gonzalo López-Gallego in his first American feature, Apollo 18 follows the story of a fictional post-Apollo 17 trip to the moon in 1972 that goes seriously awry. It was therefore never brought to the attention of the public… until now, of course!

From my analysis of the trailer, I’ve gathered we can expect lots of shaky camera work, jump scares and the occasional face-hugging alien. I must admit I’m quite a fan of this YouTube generation of filmmaking, widely referred to as the “Found Footage” genre. When it’s done with the right bravado, I think it can result in a genre masterpiece such as Cloverfield and, yes, Paranormal Activity. Watch the trailer for Apollo 18 below the jump.

What do you guys think of the trailer? More to the point, do you enjoy this fly on the wall style filmmaking, or is it just a big ol’ gimmick? Let us know in the comments below.

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New Movie Releases 2/12/10: Narnia 3, Devil, Rare Exports

Alex Lindsey Jones — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:30:09 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have the latest installment in the Chronicles of Narnia series (this time in 3D), the new supernatural thriller “from the mind of” M. Night Shyamalan and a Christmas themed black comedy, Rare Exports.

Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

NARNIA: VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER 3D

Genre: Fantasy
Rating: (PG) mild violence and scary scenes
Running Time: 112 min
Director: Michael Apted
Cast: Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley
Official Website: Link:

Studio’s Synopsis:

Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world.

Worth seeing?

Zero reviews for this yet, meaning it likely hasn’t been screened for critics. Strong word of mouth is particularly important this time around due to some uncertainty for the franchise’s future. I guess if you liked the first two, you might as well see this one and this time it’s it jaw dropping 3D (but isn’t everything these days!) (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

The first film in the series was an all out smash, not too far off doing Harry Potter type numbers but the fact that the second installment only managed to gross just over half of the first film, severely delayed production on Dawn Treader. If reviews and word of mouth are better than Prince Caspian this may recapture some of the box office luster. Worldwide the take could sit somewhere upwards of 500 million. Locally, I anticipate around 18 mil in receipts.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrJQDPpIK6I

DEVIL

Genre: Horror / Thriller
Rating: (M) Horror themes and violence
Running Time: 81 min
Director: John Erick Dowdle
Cast: Chris Messina, Logan Marshall-Green, Jenny O’Hara, Bojana Novakovic
Official Website:

Studio’s Synopsis:

A group of people trapped in a elevator realize that the devil is among them.

Worth seeing?

To be blunt probably not. How many chances does M. Night get? The last 3 and a half films he has been involved with have been true stinkers. The only saving grace for this may be that he didn’t direct, though he is on story and producing duties. Reviews have been mostly mixed to negative but they are much stronger than for The Last Airbender, one of the worst reviewed films ever. If you go in with the lowest of expectations this may turn out better than expected. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Due to its low 10 million budget Devil is already a financial success, hauling in a healthy 33 million at the U.S. box office. Expect around 3 million locally.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYy7igKD21A

RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE

Genre: Thriller / Comedy / Finnish
Rating: (M) Horror themes and violence
Running Time: 83 min
Director: Jalmari Helandar
Cast: Tommi Korpela, Per Christian Ellefsen, Jorma Tomilla

Official Website: Link:

Studio’s Synopsis:

It’s the eve of Christmas in northern Finland, and an ‘archeological’ dig has just unearthed the real Santa Claus. But this particular Santa isn’t the one you want coming to town. When the local children begin mysteriously disappearing, young Pietari and his father Rauno, a reindeer hunter by trade, capture the mythological being and attempt to sell Santa to the misguided leader of the multinational corporation sponsoring the dig. Santa’s elves, however, will stop at nothing to free their fearless leader from captivity. What ensues is a wildly humorous nightmare – a fantastically bizarre polemic on modern day morality. RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE is a re-imagining of the most classic of all childhood fantasies, and is a darkly comic gem soon to be required perennial holiday viewing

Worth seeing?

Described by some as “Die Hard meets Bad Santa“. It’s kooky black comedy premise could be the best antidote to the usual recycled holiday fare, that’s about as enjoyable as the muzak versions of your favourite xmas carols. Solid reviews so far too. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Can’t see much box office clout for this anywhere but Finland but if reviews and word of mouth hold, maybe 500k locally.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RQlikX4vvw&feature=player_embedded

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

New Release Movies 4/11/10: Jackass 3D, The Loved Ones

New Movie Releases: 18/11/10: Harry Potter 7, Agora, Gasland

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

New Release Movies 11/11/10: Skyline, The American, Machete

New Release Movies 25/11/10: Due Date,The Last Exorcism

Alex Lindsey Jones — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:45:52 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have director Todd Phillips’ follow up to his smash hit The Hangover, called Due Date starring Robert Downey Jnr. and Zach Galifianakis, Aussie western thriller Red Hill, Eli Roth produced horror flick The Last Exorcism, political thriller Fair Game with Sean Penn and Naomi Watts and more…

Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

THE LAST EXORCISM

Genre: Horror / Thriller
Rating: (MA 15+) Strong horror themes and violence
Running Time: 87 min
Director: Daniel Stamm
Cast: Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Iris Bahr, Louis Herthum
Official Website: Link

Studio’s Synopsis:

When he arrives on the rural Louisiana farm of Louis Sweetzer, the Reverend Cotton Marcus expects to perform just another routine “exorcism” on a disturbed religious fanatic. An earnest fundamentalist, Sweetzer has contacted the charismatic preacher as a last resort, certain his teenage daughter Nell is possessed by a demon who must be exorcized before their terrifying ordeal ends in unimaginable tragedy.

Buckling under the weight of his conscience after years of parting desperate believers with their money, Cotton and his crew plan to film a confessionary documentary of this, his last exorcism. But upon arriving at the already blood drenched family farm, it is soon clear that nothing could have prepared him for the true evil he encounters there. Now, too late to turn back, Reverend Marcus’ own beliefs are shaken to the core when he and his crew must find a way to save Nell – and themselves – before it is too late

Worth seeing?

Exceptionally strong reviews for this Eli Roth produced horror flick and probably the best reviewed mainstream horror this year next to Let Me In. While the whole low-fi horror thing has seriously been done to death in the last couple of years, this may have just enough of an edge to make it a great little date movie, perfect for the old arm over the shoulder routine when your date gets a little too freaked out. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Made for less than two million, Exorcism has already taken 41 mil in The U.S. and locally could crack around 4 or 5 million, a bit less than Paranormal Activity 2.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxhdCcYHZZM

DUE DATE

Genre: Comedy
Rating: (MA 15+) Strong coarse language, drug use and sexual references
Running Time: 95 min
Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Juliette Lewis
Official Website: Link:

Studio’s Synopsis:

Peter Highman is an expectant first-time father whose wife’s due date is a mere five days away. Peter hurries to catch a flight home to be at her side for the birth, but his best intentions go completely awry when he is forced to catch a ride with an aspiring actor Ethan, which what turns out to be a cross-country road trip that will ultimately destroy several cars, numerous friendships and Peter’s last nerve.

Worth seeing?

This has been mauled by the critics and labeled a “rip off” of much better road trip/odd couple comedies. Perhaps expectations were a little too high after the director hit one out of the park with last year’s The Hangover, which not only grossed over 456 million at the worldwide box office but is also the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Worldwide Due Date has already managed to double it’s $65 budget (doubling being a very loose estimate for what a film needs to break even or at least get close). While it’s going to end up nowhere near the blockbuster level of The Hangover, it should end up crossing the 200 mil milestone. Locally it will easily top the 8 million take of Get Him To The Greek.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGpJUh9j-jU

RED HILL

Genre: Action/Drama/Western
Rating: (MA 15+) Strong violence
Running Time: 97 min
Director: Patrick Hughes
Cast: Steve Bisley, Ryan Kwanten, Tommy Lewis, Claire van der Boom
Official Website: Link:

Studio’s Synopsis:

Young police officer Shane Cooper relocates to the small country town of Red Hill with his pregnant wife Alice to start a family. But when news of a prison break sends the local law enforcement officers – led by the town’s ruling presence, Old Bill – into a panic, Shane’s first day on duty rapidly turns into a nightmare. Enter Jimmy Conway, a convicted murderer serving life behind bars, who has returned to the isolated outpost seeking revenge. Now caught in the middle of what will become a terrifying and bloody confrontation, Shane will be forced to take the law into his own hands if he is to survive. A taut thriller which unfolds over the course of a single day and night, and told with explosive action and chilling violence, Red Hill is a modern-day western played out against the extraordinary landscapes of high-country Australia.

Worth seeing?

It’s not often I say this for an Australian film but the trailer is AWESOME! and reviews so far are fairly positive. Looks like a gritty little mix of western and suspense mystery. Somebody please give Ryan Kwanten a superhero movie. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Hard to say on this one. Internationally it will make all of about 5 bucks but here’s hoping for a 2-3 mil take in OZ.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nrEm9KMV7I

FAIR GAME

Genre: Drama / Thriller
Rating: (M)
Running Time: 107 min
Director: Doug Liman
Cast: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Bruce McGill
Official Website: Link

Studio’s Synopsis:

Plame’s status as a CIA agent was revealed by White House officials allegedly out to discredit her husband after he wrote a 2003 New York Times op-ed piece saying that the Bush administration had manipulated intelligence about weapons of mass destruction to justify the invasion of Iraq

Worth seeing?

The critics LOVE this. Doug Liman is the genius behind Swingers and The Bourne Identity (but then again he also made Jumper and Mr and Mrs Smith, so….) The cast is truly top notch but the trailer makes it look like yet another in a long line of talky political thrillers. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

If Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio can’t open a political thriller (Body Of Lies), there is no way on earth Sean Penn and Naomi Watts can! The film has only racked up 7 million at the American box office so far (partly due to a limited release) and locally it should only hit about 4 mil.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpMGQgXbOgA

MONSTERS

Genre: Horror / Sci-Fi / Drama / Romance
Rating: (M) Strong horror themes and violence
Running Time: 90 min
Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able
Official Website: Link

Studio’s Synopsis:

Six years ago NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon re-entry over Central America. Soon after, new life forms began to appear and grow. In an effort to stem the destruction that resulted, half of Mexico was quarantined as an INFECTED ZONE. Today, the American and Mexican military still struggle to contain the massive creatures… Our story begins when a jaded US journalist (McNairy) begrudgingly agrees to find his boss’ daughter, a shaken American tourist (Able) and escort her through the infected zone to the safety of the US border.

Worth seeing?

Solid reviews for this mini budget genre flick and apparently more than a few surprises too. This could also be a great date movie for Fri night and perhaps a little easier to drag the Mrs too than The Last Exorcism. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Check out Anders Wotzke’s 4 star review here and interview with director Gareth Edwards here.

Box Office Predictions:

Only costing an impressively low $500,000 to make, Monsters is already in the clear. Only a limited release in the U.S. so it hasn’t really troubled the box office there but locally 2 million could be the magic number.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_-gL3U1T5Y

LEBANON

Genre:Drama / Arthouse / Israeli
Rating: (Ma15+)
Running Time: 90 min
Director: Samuel Maoz
Cast: Yoav Donat, Itay Tiran, Michael Moshonov
Official Website: Link

Studio’s Synopsis:

The First Lebanon War – June, 1982. A lone tank is dispatched to search a hostile town that has already been bombarded by the Israeli Air Force. What seems to be a simple mission gradually spins out of control. Shmuel the gunner, Assi the commander, Herzl the loader and Yigal the driver are the tank’s crew, four 20-something boys who have never fought in a war and are now operating a killing machine. Though trying to remain brave, the boys are pushed to their mental limits as they struggle to survive in a situation they cannot contain, and try not to lose their humanity in the chaos of war. Writer-director Samuel Maoz’s raw and visceral film is based on his own experiences as a twenty year old novice soldier serving in the Israeli army during the 1982 Lebanon war. Using his own vivid recollections to bring us inside an Israeli tank during the first 24 hours of the invasion, Maoz restricts the film’s action entirely to the tank’s interior and shows us the outside world only-as the four young soldiers themselves see it-through the lens of a periscopic gun sight. The cathartic process of writing and directing LEBANON allowed Maoz to finally free himself of the events that he had experienced twenty-five years earlier.

Worth seeing?

Not many reviews yet but the handful that are around are positive. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

This won’t be out long but locally if it reaches $300,000 – $500,000 it should make all involved happy.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5raDtUWRr08

COPACABANA

Genre:Drama / Comedy/ French
Rating : (M)
Running Time: 101 min
Director: Marc Fitoussi
Cast: Aure Atikia, Isabelle Huppert, Chantal Banlier
Official Website: Link

Studio’s Synopsis:

Boldly unconventional and cheerful, that’s how one could describe Babou. Never having cared about social conventions, she is suddenly faced with the realization that her own daughter is ashamed of her and therefore refuses to invite her to her wedding. Hurt in her pride, Babou tries to regain her daughter’s respect by starting anew. She accepts the challenge of selling time-sharing-flats at the Belgian seaside during the off-season, in a desperate attempt to prove her real worth and her motherly love to her daughter.

Worth seeing?

Virtually no reviews around for this but it does have a cute French cast. French comedies are usually quite delightful too so you’ll have a good idea if this is for you or not. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Again this won’t be around too long so catch it while you can.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuhTTaCVqQk

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

New Release Movies 4/11/10: Jackass 3D, The Loved Ones

New Movie Releases 2/12/10: Narnia 3, Devil, Rare Exports

New Movie Releases: 18/11/10: Harry Potter 7, Agora, Gasland

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

New Movie Releases: 18/11/10: Harry Potter 7, Agora, Gasland

Alex Lindsey Jones — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:55:49 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have one of the guaranteed biggest blockbusters of the year, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, historical drama Agora starring Rachel Weisz and award winning documentary Gasland.

Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1

Genre: Adventure/Drama/Fantasy
Rating: (M) Fantasy themes and violence
Running Time: 146 min
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes
Official Website: Link

Studio’s Synopsis:

Voldemort’s power is growing stronger. He now has control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore’s work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. But little hope remains for them, so everything they do must go as planned.

Worth seeing?

For once this question isn’t really relevant. If you are a fan or have seen the previous six entries, you are so invested that you don’t really have a choice. Just take it from someone who has 8 seasons of Smallville sitting on their DVD rack and hasn’t liked it since season 3. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Check out Anders Wotzke’s 3 star review here.

Box Office Predictions:

The Potter franchise has had impressively consistent box office. All the films have grossed between 250 – 300 million at the U.S. box office and internationally all the films have hit around 800 – 900 million. Being that this is the first part of the final installment, Deathly Hallows could end up being the first Potter to break the 1 billion mark, where it joins only 7 other films to reach that milestone

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EC2tmFVNNE

AGORA

Genre: Period/Drama
Rating: (MA 15+) Adult themes and violence
Running Time: 126 min
Director: Alejandro Amenabar
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella
Official Website: Link

Studio’s Synopsis:

A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria.

Worth seeing?

Middling reviews that still praise Rachel Weisz’s performance as “gripping”. Perhaps only for hardcore Weisz fans or fans of epic period dramas. On a side note the always excellent Weisz has apparently been chatting to director Christopher Nolan recently about a role in The Dark Knight Rises…interesting. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

While it was the biggest grossing film in Spain of ’09, there ain’t much hope of it making back it’s 70 odd million budget (not in cinemas anyway). The film only made $600, 000 in the U.S. but locally it could easily double that.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbuEhwselE0

GASLAND

Genre: Documentary
Rating: (PG)
Running Time: 104 min
Director: Josh Fox
Cast: Josh Fox
Official Website: Link:

Studio’s Synopsis:

Can you imagine being able to light your tap water on fire? This is just one of the many shocking results due to the natural gas drilling boom which has swept the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology called hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” has unlocked a “Saudi Arabia of natural gas” just beneath us. But is fracking safe? Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown. Josh Fox encounters EPA whistleblowers, congressmen, world recognized scientists, and some of the most incredibly inspiring and heart-wrenching stories of ordinary Americans fighting against fossil fuel giants for environmental justice.

Worth seeing?

Not many reviews yet for this award winning doco but all that do exist are very positive. If you like your expose style docos, this may be the one for you this weekend, especially if you ain’t down with the boy-wizard. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Documentary films rarely do big business and this one will be no different. Possibly $300,000 locally if it lasts long enough in limited release.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0fAsFQsFAs

Australian Box Office Report 18-21 Nov 2010: Harry Potter 7 dominates

WTF: Is Voldemort Harry Potter’s tamest villain?

Australian Box Office Report: Nov 25-28 2010

Australian Box Office 16/12/2010: Tron trumps Megamind

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (Video Review)

New Release Movies 11/11/10: Skyline, The American, Machete

Alex Lindsey Jones — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:43:29 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we finally get Robert Rodriguez’s Machete film based on the bad-ass trailer from his Grindhouse project, George Clooney’s new adult thriller The American, the latest alien invasion flick Skyline and more.

Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

MACHETE

Genre: Action
Rating : (MA+15) Strong Violence
Running Time: 106 min
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Cast: Danny Trejo, Robert Deniro, Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan, Steven Seagal

Official Website: Link:

Studio’s Synopsis:

After being betrayed by the organization who hired him, an ex-Federale launches a brutal rampage of revenge against his former boss.

Worth seeing?

For anyone who actually saw the Tarantino/Rodriguez Grindhouse double feature Machete is long overdue. Based on one of the fake trailers from this project, Machete most likely went into production after an overwhelming response from fans. Reviews are surprisingly positive and this would make for a great boys night out on Friday night. Oh! and did I mention it has a sword fight between Steven Seagal and Robert Deniro! That surely is worth the price of a ticket right there. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

A modest 26 million take in it’s homeland, Machete could pull in 2-3 mil locally. This will easily be more profitable than the ambitious Grindhouse double feature which just couldn’t find an audience in cinemas.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V9OdilCiDM

AMERICAN, THE

Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
Rating : (MA 15+) Strong sex scene
Running Time: 105 min
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: George Clooney, Irina Bjorklund , Lars Hjelm, Thekla Reuten

Official Website: Link

Studio’s Synopsis:

As an assassin, Jack (played by Mr. Clooney) is constantly on the move and always alone. After a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, Jack retreats to the Italian countryside. He relishes being away from death for a spell as he holes up in a small medieval town. While there, Jack takes an assignment to construct a weapon for a mysterious contact, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten). Savoring the peaceful quietude he finds in the mountains of Abruzzo, Jack accepts the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues a torrid liaison with a beautiful woman, Clara (Violante Placido). Jack and Clara’s time together evolves into a romance, one seemingly free of danger. But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate

Worth seeing?

Clooney seems to gravitate toward these adult Thriller/Dramas (Thrillamas?) Mixed to positive reviews for this one. If you enjoy a good talky thriller with solid acting, this will be right up your alley. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

35 million in the kitty at the U.S. box office, locally it could match the 5 million take of Michael Clayton from 2007, if not it’s attendance.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ywmoXZwkA0

SKYLINE

Genre: Thriller
Rating : (M) Science fiction violence and infrequent coarse language
Running Time: 93 min
Director: Colin Strause and Greg Strause
Cast: Donald Faison, Eric Balfour, David Zayas, Scottie Thompson, Brittany Daniel

Official Website: Link:

Studio’s Synopsis:

Strange lights descend on the city of Los Angeles, drawing people outside like moths to a flame where an extraterrestrial force threatens to swallow the entire human population off the face of the Earth.

Worth seeing?

It’s never a great sign when a film isn’t screened for critics but this low budget sci-fi thriller looks like it could deliver the goods. The Strause brothers do not have a good track record, with their only other film being the abomination that was Alien Vs Predator: Requiem but hey everyone needs to start somewhere right? (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

It doesn’t need to make to big a splash commercially to be a success due to it’s low 10 million budget, this could have a U.S. 15-20 million opening. Depending on word of mouth this could be a sisable but won’t come anywhere near the grosses of Cloverfield or District 9. Locally the film should end up taking 3-4 mil in it’s entire run.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rtqUy34Tjk

WILD TARGET

Genre: Action / Crime / Drama / Comedy
Rating : (M) Violence and infrequent coarse language
Running Time: 98 min
Director: Jonathan Lynn
Cast: Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint

Official Website: Link

Studio’s Synopsis:

The story of Victor Maynard, a middle-aged, solitary assassin, who prides himself on his own peerless reputation for lethal efficiency. His professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims, Rose who sold a forged Rembrandt to one of his clients. He spares her life, unexpectedly acquiring a young apprentice

Worth seeing?

A strong cast and funny trailer make this quirky little crime comedy look like quite the romp. The U.K./French co-production is based on the 1993 French film Cible Emouvante. Not too many reviews yet and the ones that are out there are fairly negative but then again what do the critics know aye? This is definitely the wild card release this week but it may just be a surprise gem. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

A pitiful 45 thousand take in the U.S. (in all fairness it was only released for 11 days, in 5 theaters), this will easily sneak past the 1 million mark locally.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmS3ePcA6VU

MESSENGER, THE

Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating : (MA 15+)
Running Time: 105 min
Director: Oren Moverman
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster , Jena Malone, Samantha Morton

Official Website: Link:

Studio’s Synopsis:

Ben Foster stars as Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army officer who has just returned home from a tour in Iraq and is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Partnered with fellow officer Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson) to bear the bad news to the loved ones of fallen soldiers, Will faces the challenge of completing his mission while seeking to find comfort and healing back on the home front. When he finds himself drawn to Olivia (Samantha Morton), to whom he has just delivered the news of her husband’s death, Will’s emotional detachment begins to dissolve and the film reveals itself as a surprising, humorous, moving and very human portrait of grief, friendship and survival.

Worth seeing?

2 Academy Award nominations, one of the best reviewed films of the last year and boasting acting from Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster that the critics are calling “tour-de-force performances”, what are you waiting for? Go see it now as it won’t be out long due to a limited release. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Due to a limited American release the film has only collected 1 million at the U.S. box office, locally it should be able to match that.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MEApxjYncI

New Release Movies 4/11/10: Jackass 3D, The Loved Ones

New Movie Releases 2/12/10: Narnia 3, Devil, Rare Exports

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

New Movie Releases: 18/11/10: Harry Potter 7, Agora, Gasland

New Release Movies 4/11/10: Jackass 3D, The Loved Ones

Alex Lindsey Jones — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:12:31 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have the latest installment of brain dead comedy from the Jackass crew (Jackass 3D) and potentially cult status worthy Aussie horror The Loved Ones. In limited release is Gainsbourg, A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop and Anything For Her.

Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

JACKASS 3-D

Genre: Comedy
Rating: (MA 15+) Strong crude humour, dangerous stunts, nudity and coarse language
Running Time: 94 min
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius

Official Website: Link:

Studio’s Synopsis:

Johnny Knoxville and his buddies are up to their daredevil comic antics again. And this time they’re coming at ya’ in 3D.

Worth seeing?

Surprisingly strong reviews for this. If you are a fan of the previous films, or television series than quite clearly this is the film for you this weekend. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

An all out box office hit in the States with over 100 million in the kitty so far, it has also become the biggest grossing in the Jackass franchise (aided by the higher 3D ticket pricing). Local box office could easily double the previous entry’s 4.5 million.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKwjU_pSSW4

THE LOVED ONES

Genre: Horror
Rating : (MA 15+) Strong horror violence; strong themes
Running Time: 84 min
Director: Sean Byrne
Cast: Xavier Samuel, Jessica McNamee,Robin McLeavy
Official Website: Link.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Following the death of his father, Brent Mitchell has a shot at happiness with his girlfriend Holly, a grounded, caring girl with drop dead good looks, a dream date for the high school prom. But his plans are thwarted by a disturbing series of events at the prom where Brent becomes the prom king at a macabre, sadistic event where he is the entertainment.

Worth seeing?

Its getting hailed by critics as the best Aussie horror flick since Wolf Creek. Easily one of the most promoted local flicks this year, maybe there is something to that. Judging by the reaction of some fans online, it might just become a cult classic too! (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Check out Anders Wotzke’s 4 star review here.

Box Office Predictions:

If the marketing budget can hold up, it might be able to rack up 2-3 mil at the box office but expect it to fall short of the 4.5 mill take of Wolf Creek.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYhFf8z28lE

GAINSBOURG

Genre: Biopic/French/Drama
Rating : (M)
Running Time: 117 min
Director: Joann Sfar
Cast: Lucy Gordon, Eric Elmosino
Official Website: Link:

Gainsbourg is in limited release.

Studio’s Synopsis:

A glimpse at the life of French singer Serge Gainsbourg, from growing up in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris through his successful song-writing years in the 1960s to his death in 1991 at the age of 62.

Worth seeing?

Another French biopic with decent reviews. If the man or period interests you, this could be a nice way to spend Sunday arvo. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Check out Katina Vangopoulos’ 4 star review here.

Box Office Predictions:

Very little box office implications.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQH4R2RwM1U

A WOMAN, A GUN AND A NOODLE SHOP

Genre: Drama/Chinese/Arthouse
Rating : (M)
Running Time: 90 min
Director: Zhang Yimou
Cast: Sun Honglei, Ni Dahing, Yan Ni
Official Website: Link:

A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle House is in limited release.

Studio’s Synopsis:

A WOMAN, A GUN AND A NOODLE SHOP is a remake of the 1985 directorial debut of Joel and Ethan Coen, BLOOD SIMPLE. Transposing the Coen Brother’s celebrated mix of dark humor and riveting suspense to China, the film is helmed by Zhang Yimou (director of THE RED SORGHUM, TO LIVE, HERO, HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS and other masterpieces)

Worth seeing?

Mixed to poor reviews but I guess that’s what happens when you mess with a cult-classic from the Coen Brothers. Maybe just rent Blood Simple again for only a fraction of the cost. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

This will be blink and you miss it at the cinemas and shouldn’t rustle up too much business locally but it is worth noting that this was a huge hit in China grossing 39 million off a $12 million budget.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPDugk_4-sU

ANYTHING FOR HER (POUR ELLE)

Genre: Thriller/French
Rating : (M)
Running Time: 96 min
Director: Fred Cavayé
Cast: Diane Kruger, Vincent Lindon
Official Website: Link:

Away From Her is in limited release.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Lise and Julien are married and lead a happy, quiet existence with their son, Oscar. But their lives are turned upside down one morning when the police come to their home to arrest Lisa for murder. She is sentenced to twenty years in prison. Convinced ofher innocence, and faced with the failure of securing Lise’s release through legal means, Julien decides to help his wife escape.

Worth seeing?

With strong reviews, and a catchy premise, this could be the pic of the week, though it may be hard to track down. The inevitable Hollywood remake is already in production under the direction of Paul Haggis and starring Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

It won’t be out for long so this won’t make much of a dent. Catch it while you can!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBZVsLoSsDU

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

New Movie Releases: 18/11/10: Harry Potter 7, Agora, Gasland

New Movie Releases 2/12/10: Narnia 3, Devil, Rare Exports

New Release Movies 11/11/10: Skyline, The American, Machete

New Release Movies 28/10/10: The Social Network, Saw 3D

Alex Lindsey Jones — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:30:09 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have David Fincher’s critically acclaimed facebook movie The Social Network, action-comedy Red which boasts an old school cast and supposedly the final installment in the seemingly never ending Saw series, this time in 3D!. In limited release is Brit-comedy Made in Dagenham and classic Rolling Stones concert Ladies and Gentleman…The Rolling Stones.

Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

SAW VII 3D

Genre: Horror
Rating: R 18+
Running Time: 90 min
Director: Kevin Greutert
Cast: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Gina Holden, Betsy Russell, Tanedra Howard
Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

The Saw series continues with this seventh entry, spearheaded by returning Saw VI director and production designer on parts 2, 3, and 4, David Hackl. Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton also are back to pen the script, which details the ongoing exploits of long-dead serial killer Jigsaw and the people who continue his gruesome morality lessons.

Worth seeing?

It would be hard to recommend this installment to anyone who hasn’t seen the previous six entries but for long time fans it’s not about quality, its about tradition. The original Saw was a brilliant original that stood out from other films in the genre, while the sequels have become increasingly convoluted, Halloween just wouldn’t be the same without a Saw movie. This time the gruesomeness is in 3D! Fans should also be excited by the return of Cary Elwes as Doctor Gordon from the original film.

As usual this hasn’t been screened for critics.

Box Office Predictions:

The last Saw film underperformed at the box office due to series fatigue and being steam rolled over by horror heavyweight Paranormal Activity. Still the extremely low budget (which have been commendably kept in check through the entire series) still ensured a big fat pay day for all involved. Expect renewed interest in this outing as well as additional box office receipts due to the higher 3D ticket prices. U.S. box office could hit 50-60 million and about 4-5 million locally.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVQZIJr6z2g

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Genre: Drama
Rating: M
Running Time: 120 min
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Dustin Fitzsimons, Armie Hammer
Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

On a fall night in 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programming genius Mark Zuckerberg sits down at his computer and heatedly begins working on a new idea. In a fury of blogging and programming, what begins in his dorm room soon becomes a global social network and a revolution in communication. A mere six years and 500 million friends later, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest billionaire in history… but for this entrpreneur, success leads to both personal and legal complications.

Worth seeing?

David Fincher has a great track record with brilliant films like Seven, Fight Club and The Game and with great casting and a script written by The West Wing scribe Aaron Sorkin, this could become this generation’s Wall Street. The Social Network is quite possibly the best reviewed film of the year (Rotten Tomatoes Rating) and easily the top pick for this weekend’s cinema outing.

Check out Anders Wotzke’s 3 and a half star review here

Box Office Predictions:

U.S. Box office receipts already total over $72 million, locally this should easily top the 5 million gross of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB95KLmpLR4

RED

Genre: Action/Comedy
Rating: M
Running Time: 111 min
Director: Robert Schwentke
Cast: Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Karl Urban
Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren) used to be the CIA’s top agents – but the secrets they know just made them the Agency’s top targets.

Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. 　To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.

Worth seeing?

Yet another well cast action-comedy. 2010 has been the year of the action-comedy but unfortunately most have disappointed. However there are very solid reviews for this, a rare achievement for a Bruce Willis action flick. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Check out Anders Wotzke’s 3 and a half star review here

Box Office Predictions:

Looks on track to crack a modest 60 million at the American Box Office, locally this could do 5 or 6 mil.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ZjBJv-rA0

MADE IN DAGENHAM

Genre: Drama
Rating : (M) Coarse language
Running Time: 113 min
Director: Nigel Cole
Cast: Rosamund Pike, Sally Hawkins, Miranda Richardson, Bob Hoskins
Official Website: Link

Made in Dagenham is in limited release, for session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

A dramatization of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, MADE IN DAGENHAM is based on a true story about a group of spirited women who joined forces, took a stand for what was right, and in doing so, found their own inner strength.

Worth seeing?

From the director of Calender Girls, this film only has a few reviews so far but they suggest that it’s an easy going little period comedy. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

If you liked Calender Girls and based on true story period films, perhaps take a gamble on this one.

Box Office Predictions:

Depending on it’s legs it could crawl it’s way to a million locally.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFupkIgVgXQ

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THE ROLLING STONES

Genre: Musical
Rating: Exempt
Running Time: 100 min

Ladies and Gentleman…The Rolling Stones is in limited release, for session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

This exclusive Rolling Stones concert event will feature the re-mastered HD digital version of the band performing on one of their most legendary tours, captured from front row seats when the Stones were at their peak. Originally, filmed in Texas in 1972 over four nights of the Exile On Main Street U.S. tour, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones premiered at the Ziegfield Theatre in New York on April 15, 1974 and released into selected cinemas across the USA shortly afterwards.

Worth seeing?

It was billed at the time as “…the most powerful rock film ever made” and is considered by many fans to be the finest Rolling Stones performance ever captured on film.

A must for hard core Stones fans.

Box Office Predictions:

There are little commercial implications for this concert flick and it won’t be in cinemas long, so see it while you can!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiaIx7IuIYQ

THE SWITCH

Genre: Comedy
Rating: M
Running Time: 101 min
Director: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Jeff Goldblum, Juliette Lewis
Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

An unmarried 40-year-old woman turns to a turkey baster in order to become pregnant. Seven years later, she reunites with her best friend, who has been living with a secret: he replaced her preferred sperm sample with his own

Worth seeing?

Directing team Josh Gordon and Will Speck follow up there Will Ferrell starring hit Blades of Glory with this romantic comedy. Reviews aren’t awful and suggest the film has some level of charm, even if it’s full of rom-com cliches. It also has support from Jeff Goldblum who can almost make anything watchable. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

It hasn’t made much of a splash in it’s homeland, grossing just shy of 30 million. Expect local box office receipts to tally 3 million.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEYqgyXyk9A

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

New Movie Releases 30/09/10: Dinner for Schmucks, Legend of the Guardians

New Release Movies 4/11/10: Jackass 3D, The Loved Ones

New Movie Releases 2/12/10: Narnia 3, Devil, Rare Exports

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

Alex Lindsey Jones — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:30:19 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have Life As We Know It, the latest vehicle for reigning rom-com queen Katherine Heigl as well as the sequel to last year’s surprise horror smash Paranormal Activity. In limited release is local indie horror Road Train, picturesque Aussie drama Summer Coda, Korean thriller The Housemaid and French ballet doco La Danse.

Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rating: M
Running Time: 115 min
Director: Greg Berlanti
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, Christina Hendricks
Official Website: Link

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

After a disastrous first date, Holly and Eric realise the only thing they have in common is their dislike for each other and their love for their goddaughter, Sophie. But when they suddenly become all Sophie has in the world, Holly and Messer are forced to put their differences aside. Juggling career ambitions and competing social calendars, they’ll have to find some common ground while living under one roof.

Worth seeing?

If you have seen the nauseating trailer then you should know exactly what your getting with this pic. Reviews are expectantly bad but then again this genre never really gets any love from critics. Audiences looking for the comfort food equivalent of predictable cinema should enjoy. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Not a break out hit Stateside like some of Heigl’s previous efforts, never the less it is still performing stronger than her action-comedy misfire Killers from earlier this year. U.S. box office should see it have legs to reach the 50 million club. Locally the film should cross 10 million with little effort.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqzjDrrZIdE

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2

Genre: Horror / Thriller
Rating: M
Running Time: 90 min
Director: Tod Williams
Cast: Katie Featherston

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

A sequel to the surprise hit film that took Halloween by storm in 2009. There is little information about the film, except that original director Oren Peli is expected to produce.

Worth seeing?

The film hasn’t been screened for critics which is usually the case with horror films as they rarely do well in the reviews department. Looks like more of the same which is probably want fans are hoping for. Due to a week of relatively slim pickings this may be the best bet for a Friday night out at the cinema.

Box Office Predictions:

The first film made nearly 200 million worldwide off a $15,000 budget, beating the similarly low-fi Blair Witch Project in the budget to profit ratio stakes. The trailer indicates that the film is more of the same, but horror sequels generally tend to under-perform (which is even the case with the last Saw movie). While it will probably struggle to do the business of the original film in the U.S. the international gross will most likely make up for it.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07XbSk7Rjt4

ROAD TRAIN

Genre: Horror / Thriller
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 90 min
Director: Dean Francis
Cast: Xavier Samuel, Bob Morley , Georgina Haig, Sophie Lowe

Official Website: Link.

Road Train is in limited release, for session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by a mystery road train- a massive three-trailer truck. With their own 4×4 wrecked and the road train stopped, they commandeer the road train. The next town is only three hours away, but will they ever reach it? What they discover inside the vehicle’s trailers proves more terrifying than anything out there on that lonely road.

Worth seeing?

Aussie horror flick Road Train made its premiere at the Dungog Film Festival and also managed to get screened in the U.S. as part of the Fangoria Fright Fest. While there aren’t too many reviews around the reaction from viewers on IMDB has been anything but positive. Perhaps only for hard core horror buffs and supporters of local cinema.

Box Office Predictions:

Road Train won’t last long in cinemas, so the box office will be negligible.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQxXnHdk84g&p=4E29255CBCE40148&playnext=1&index=5

SUMMER CODA

Genre: Drama
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 90 min
Director: Richard Gray
Cast: Rachael Taylor, Alex Dimitriades, Nathan Phillips, Susie Porter
Official Website: Link

Summer Coda is in limited release, for session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Hitchhiking home to a family she’s never known, Heidi meets Michael. In the stunning orange groves of country Australia, they embark on an adventure, discovering their secrets and lives may be better shared.

Worth seeing?

A handful of reviews, mainly positive suggest this could be another dreamy little Aussie drama that coasts by on its laid back charm. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Like Road Train, Summer Coda also won’t last long in cinemas, so the box office will also be negligible.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQxXnHdk84g&p=4E29255CBCE40148&playnext=1&index=5

THE HOUSEMAID (HANYO)

Genre: Thriller/Korean
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 106 min
Director: Im Sang-soo, Lee Jung-jae
Cast: Jeon Do-yeon
Official Website: Link.

The Housemaid is in limited release, for session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Euny becomes involved in a destructive love triangle while working as a housemaid for an upper-class family.

Worth seeing?

The Housemaid is a remake of the 1960 thriller of the same name. The original is considered one of the finest films to come out of Korea and even if the new version does not receive the same acclaim, a few early reviews suggest it might be an enjoyable if flawed erotic thriller.

Box Office Predictions:

Due to a limited release the film won’t have much of a chance but due to the solid reputation of the original film it may be discovered down the line on DVD.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw4-QDg8f6s

LA DANSE
Genre: Documentary/French
Rating: M
Running Time: 152 min
Director: Frederick Wiseman
Official Website: Link:

La Danse is in limited release, for session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

The film follows the production of seven ballets by the Paris Opera Ballet.

Worth seeing?

Positive notices from critics but most likely only for Ballet buffs. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Yet another film in this week’s list that won’t trouble the box office.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOzkWakRLmE

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

New Release Movies 4/11/10: Jackass 3D, The Loved Ones

New Movie Releases 30/09/10: Dinner for Schmucks, Legend of the Guardians

New Release Movies 28/10/10: The Social Network, Saw 3D

New Release Movies: 14/10/10 – The Town, Resident Evil: Afterlife

Alex Lindsey Jones — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 03:30:47 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have the latest unnecessary sequel in the Resident Evil series, Ben Affleck’s critically acclaimed second film as director, The Town and latest Hollywood foreign remake Let Me In. Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

LET ME IN

Genre: Drama | Fantasy | Mystery
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 115 min
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Chloe Moretz, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl from Kick-Ass) stars as Abby, a mysterious 12-year old girl, who moves next door to Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Road). Owen is a social outcast who is viciously bullied at school and in his loneliness, forms a profound bond with his new neighbour. Owen can’t help noticing that Abby is like no one he has ever met before. As a string of grisly murders occupy the town, Owen has to confront the reality that this seemingly innocent girl is really a savage vampire.

Let Me In, a haunting and provocative thriller written and directed by filmmaker Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) and produced by legendary British horror brand Hammer Films, is based on the best-selling Swedish novel Lat den Ratte Komma (Let The Right One In) by John Ajvide Lindqvist, and the highly-acclaimed film of the same name.

Worth seeing?

Read Anders Wotzke’s 3 star review here.

Reviews have been unusually strong for a foreign remake but then again that could be director Matt Reeves insistence on virtually making a carbon copy of the acclaimed original. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

As is often the case, strong reviews don’t necessarily guarantee strong box office. Struggling to gather much interest from audiences in the States, Let Me In might collect a modest 1-2 million locally.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsWJt5tNLKg

THE TOWN

Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 125 min
Director: Ben Affleck
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively
Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) is an unrepentant criminal, the de facto leader of a group of ruthless bank robbers who pride themselves in stealing what they want and getting out clean. With no real attachments, Doug never has to fear losing anyone close to him. But that all changed on the gang’s latest job, when they briefly took a hostage–bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall). Though they let her go unharmed, Claire is nervously aware that the robbers know her name…and where she lives. But she lets her guard down when she meets an unassuming and rather charming man named Doug…not realizing that he is the same man who only days earlier had terrorized her. The instant attraction between them gradually turns into a passionate romance that threatens to take them both down a dangerous, and potentially deadly, path.

Worth seeing?

Audiences weren’t quite ready to embrace Affleck as a director last time around but The Town has consolidated him as a director to take seriously.

One of the best reviewed films of the year and a follow up to Affleck’s powerful, yet underrated debut Gone Baby Gone, The Town is easily the top pick of the new release titles this week. (RottenTomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

While not quite in the same league, The Town is the biggest hit in the crime genre since The Departed. In the U.S. the film is on track to crack $80 million, a big jump up from Affleck’s last directorial effort, Gone Baby Gone which barely managed to crack 20 million at the box office. Locally the film should be good for about 4-5 million, about half the local gross of The Departed.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWxEKnf3Krk

RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE

Genre: Horror
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 97 min
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts
Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice (Milla Jovovich), continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of Undead – and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap

Worth seeing?
Read Anders Wotzke’s ★ ★ review here.

This kind of film is critic proof due the the in built fan base and the surprising longevity of the series. If hot scantily clad young women kicking undead butt is your idea of a good time, then look no further than this. It’s also released in 3D. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

The film has done the modest 50 million range of its predecessors in the U.S. but worldwide so far the mega impressive box office take is just shy of quarter of a billion dollars. Due in part to the added ticket price for a 3D release the film should easily double the final gross of previous entry Resident Evil: Extinction. Expect 5-6 million locally.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dc5iiT0f1s

CHLOE

Genre: Thriller, Drama
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 96 min
Director: Atom Egoyan
Cast: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Amanda Seyfried
Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Starring an exceptional cast, CHLOE is a suspenseful story of love and betrayal. Catherine (Julianne Moore), a successful doctor, begins to question her husband David’s (Liam Neeson) fidelity and sets out to resolve her suspicions with the help of an alluring young woman, Chloe (Amanda Seyfried). Soon caught in a web of sexual desire, Catherine finds herself on a journey that places her family in great danger…

Worth seeing?

A remake of the 2004 French Thriller Nathalie. Reviews have been mixed at best but the strong cast and steamy trailer imply this could be solid adult entertainment.

(Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

With only a limited American release the specialty picture pulled in a small 3 million (though due to international pre-sales has already recouped it’s 11 million budget). Locally it could play quite well at the arthouse cinemas and ultimately pull in up to a million dollars at the Australian Box Office.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWLEz-1VzSk

THE CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION

Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Running Time: 118 min
Director: James Ivory
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Omar Metwally, Laura Linney, Charlotte Gainsbourg
Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

28-year-old Kansas University doctoral student Omar Razaghi has been awarded a grant to write the biography of Latin American writer Jules Gund. When Gund’s estate unexpectedly denies Omar authorisation, Omar is urged by his girlfriend to travel to Uruguay and petition the executor to change their minds.

The Gund “family,” living together on the author’s isolated and decaying estate, includes Gund’s widow, his mistress, her young daughter, Gund’s brother, and his partner. Omar’s unannounced arrival upsets their fragile co-existence and causes all to question their own circumstances, which in turn leads Omar himself to question to what degree, if any; he has been the author of his own existence up until now.

Worth seeing?
Read Paj Sandhu’s ★ ★ ½ review here.

Critical consensus is fairly evenly split on this adaptation of the 2002 book of the same name by Peter Cameron . While no one is denying the film is beautiful to look at and has an outstanding cast, some feel it doesn’t live up to previous entries in the acclaimed Merchant Ivory back catalog.

(Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

Locally the film could match the U.S. box office take of around half a million.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQf86qx3sMI

JHOOTHA HI SAHI

Genre: Bollywood, Comedy
Rating: TBC
Running Time: TBC
Director: Abbas Tyrewala
Cast: John Abraham, Pakhi Tyrewala
Official Website: Link:

Jhootha Hi Sahi is in limited release, for session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

A suicidal woman’s “final” call mistakenly connects her to a man who gives her something to live for.

Worth seeing?

Rumor has it that the film was loosely inspired by the sitcom Friends and the film Notting Hill. There’s only a view Indian reviews so far but if cute premises and Bollywood are your kind of thing, then you better catch this while you can.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyhnCtVP2vw

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

New Movie Releases 30/09/10: Dinner for Schmucks, Legend of the Guardians

New Release Movies 4/11/10: Jackass 3D, The Loved Ones

New Release Movies 28/10/10: The Social Network, Saw 3D

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

Alex Lindsey Jones — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 03:05:17 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have the latest Julia Roberts vehicle Eat Pray Love which looks like a one woman Sex and the City and minimalist indie thriller Buried staring Ryan Reynolds. Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

BURIED

Genre: Drama/Mystery/Thriller
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 95 min
Director: Rodrigo Cortes
Cast: Ryan Reynolds
Official Website: Link
For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Paul Conroy, truck driver and family man, wakes up BURIED ALIVE in an old wooden coffin. Not knowing who might have put him there or why, his only chance to escape from this nightmare is a cell phone. Poor reception, battery and lack of oxygen are his worst enemies in a race against time: Paul has only 90 minutes to be rescued

Worth seeing?

With a unique and nail biting premise that unfolds in real time and boasting a killer dramatic performance from Ryan Reynolds, this is the one to plonk your hard earned cash down for this weekend. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

With a virtually non existent budget of around 3 million (though it’s still hard to see where they spent that), this isn’t the kind of film to generally break out huge at the box office but then again it only has to do small business to turn a healthy profit. Strong word of mouth and great reviews could see it hitting around 2 – 3 million locally. Depending on how wide the release in the U.S. expands it could be a sizeable hit there but if the studio decides to go too cheap on the marketing campaign the film may just live up to it’s title.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVMUwoNZs2Y

EAT PRAY LOVE

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Rating: M
Running Time: 140 min
Director: Ryan Murphy
Cast: Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem.
Official Website: Link

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

While trying to get pregnant, a happily married woman realizes her life needs to go in a different direction, and after a painful divorce, she takes off on a round-the-world journey. Based on the memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Worth seeing?

With trailers making it look like a screen version of a women’s self help book, reviews haven’t been too kind but they all seem to suggest the film coasts by on Julia Roberts enduring charm. (Rotten Tomatoes Rating)

Box Office Predictions:

The film marks Julia Roberts’ first solo star outing since 2000′s Erin Brockovich and while her star has definitely faded in the last decade, she still has an enduring relationship with an audience (mainly female) of a certain age. So far Eat is doing similar business in the U.S. to last years Julie and Julia, though it should easily double that films box office locally and cross 12 million.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPis9ksfuFI

SAGAN

Genre: Biography/French
Rating: M
Running Time: 117 min
Director: Diane Kurys
Cast: Sylvie Testud, Pierre Palmade, Jeanne Balibar
Official Website: Link
Sagan is in limited release, for session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

France, 1950s. From the Quartier Latin to Saint-Tropez via New York, a young Parisienne becomes the icon of a whole generation. In 1954, 19-year-old Francoise Sagan shot to fame with her first novel, Bonjour Tristesse. Flamboyant, scandalous and underrated, Sagan lived her life at the furthest edge of excess. She won and lost fortunes at the roulette table, bought and crashed superb sports cars, drank, danced and partied, leaving a trail of lovers in her wake.

Worth seeing?

Very few reviews around so far on this one but it definitely looks like the best French Biography coming out this October. An interesting note, Sagan was originally produced and shot as a two-part TV miniseries in 2008 but after being seen and purchased by Luc Besson, it was trimmed down to two hours and released as a feature film.

Box Office Predictions:

Due to limited interest this shouldn’t trouble the box office receipt talliers too much. Having said that, there is an audience for this kind of picture but usually it isn’t until the DVD release.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3NzO4BkT40

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

New Movie Releases 30/09/10: Dinner for Schmucks, Legend of the Guardians

New Release Movies 4/11/10: Jackass 3D, The Loved Ones

New Release Movies: 14/10/10 – The Town, Resident Evil: Afterlife

New Release Movies 28/10/10: The Social Network, Saw 3D

New Movie Releases 30/09/10: Dinner for Schmucks, Legend of the Guardians

Alex Lindsey Jones — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:56:03 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have the latest comedy from director Jay Roache (Meet the Parents and Austin Powers) starring the always funny Steve Carell and Zack Snyder’s latest effort, the awkwardly titled Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole. Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS
Review: ★ ½
Genre: Comedy
Rating: M
Running Time: 114 min
Director: Jay Roach
Cast: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis
Official Website: Link.

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

“Dinner for Schmucks” tells the story of Tim (Paul Rudd), a guy on the verge of having it all. The only thing standing between him and total career success is finding the perfect guest to bring to his boss’ annual Dinner for Extraordinary People, an event where the winner of the evening brings the most eccentric character as his guest. Enter Barry (Steve Carell), a guy with a passion for dressing mice up in tiny outfits to recreate great works of art.

Worth seeing?

A loose Hollywood adaptation of the 1998 French Comedy (originally a stage play) The Dinner Game, has thus far received mixed reviews overseas (Rotten Tomatoes Rating) but should be a relatively entertaining time killer due to the involvement of the master of goofball comedy Steve Carell and cinema’s best straight man Paul Rudd. Director Jay Roach has previously helmed the comedy hits Meet The Parents and Austin Powers (as well as their less funny sequels).

Box Office Predictions:

U.S. box office has been a mid level $72 million which is in line with Paul Rudd’s past box office but a bit on the light side for Steve Carell who is used to crossing the 100 million mark. Expect local box office in the range of $3-4 million, comparable with previous Rudd comedies I Love You Man and Role Models.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgEDubRe6M8

LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS: THE OWLS OF GA’HOOLE
Review: ★ ★ ★ ★
Genre: Animation/Adventure/Fantasy
Rating: PG
Running Time: 98 min
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Abbie Cornish, Helen Mirren, Hugo Weaving, Geoffrey Rush
Official Website: Link.

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

The Guardians of Ga’Hoole are a band of Owl warriors who once fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil Pure Ones. When a young Owl, Soren, and his brother, Kludd fall from a tree top into the lair of the Pure Ones, their only hope is the legendary Guardians of Ga’Hoole.

Worth seeing?

Zack Synder’s seems to have made quite a strange decision to follow up the excellent, yet underrated Watchmen with this animated fantasy based on Kathryn Lasky’s modestly known Guardians of Ga’Hoole books (of which there are 15 in total). Reviews have praised the dazzling visuals but as usual with this kind of film the story is reportedly undercooked (Rotten Tomatoes Rating).

Box Office Predictions:

After becoming Synder’s first film to not open at number one at the U.S. box office and only pulling in a disappointing 16 million over opening weekend, there isn’t much chance of recouping the film’s 100 million budget. Being filmed in Australia and featuring an impressive Aussie cast, local box office should be respectable. Don’t expect Happy Feet numbers but somewhere in the 10-15 million range is quite possible.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8RKCmkOyB4

THE TREE
Review: ★ ★ ½
Genre: Drama/Australian-French
Rating: M
Running Time: 100 min
Director: Julie Bertuccelli
Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Marton Csokas, Aden Young
Official Website: Link:

The Tree is in limited release, for session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

After the sudden death of her father, 8-year-old Simone shares a secret with her mother Dawn. She’s convinced her father speaks to her through the leaves of her favourite tree and he’s come back to protect them but the new bond between mother and daughter is threatened when Dawn starts a relationship with George, the plumber, called in to remove the tree’s troublesome roots.

As the branches of the tree start to infiltrate the house, the family is forced to make an agonising decision. But have they left it too late?

Worth seeing?

Based on the debut novel by Judy Pascoe and co-produced between Australia and France, this film received a seven minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Expect another quiet little Aussie meditation on small town family life.

Box Office Predictions:

Australian films rarely explode at the box office even locally. Even with great reviews the film will most likely struggle to hit 300k.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSLTwvurWA0

Australian Box Office Report: 14-17 Oct 2010

Zack Snyder: Career Rewind

Australian Box Office Report: 7-10 Oct 2010

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

Australian Box Office Wrap: 25-26 Sep 10

New Movie Releases 23/09/10: Wall Street 2, The Girl Who Played With Fire

Alex Lindsey Jones — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:46:12 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have two widely anticipated sequels (Wall St: Money Never Sleeps, The Girl Who Played With Fire) and then some not so anticipated films like Brendan Fraser’s latest family comedy Furry Vengeance and the Zach Efron wannabe tear jerker Charlie St. Cloud. Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Genre: Drama
Rating: M
Running Time: 133 min
Director: Oliver Stone
Cast: Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Frank Langella, Carey Mulligan, Vanessa Ferlito, Charlie Sheen,

Official Website: Link

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader’s mentor.

Worth seeing?

Making a sequel some 23 years after the original hit the screens is always going to be a gamble but then again most belated sequels don’t have a character as memorable or ingrained in popular culture as Gordon Gekko. If the trailer is any indication it looks like greed is still good.

Check out Glynn Morgan’s four star review here.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS0PJSKJoxw

The Girl Who Played With Fire

Genre: Drama/Mystery/Thriller/Sweedish
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 129 min
Director: Daniel Alfredson
Cast: Lisbeth Salander, Sofia Ledarp, Peter Andersson, Michael Nyqvist

Official Website: Link

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

In THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE – the second installment in the “Millennium” trilogy following THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO – Mikael Blomkvist is about to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society. On the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered and the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander.

Worth seeing?

While it may have a hard time living up to its predecessor, this will surely be another big hit with audiences.

Check out Shannon Wright’s three and a half star review here.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdwvAvXUxc4&feature=fvw

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Running Time: 92 min
Director: Thor Freudenthal
Cast: Zachary Gordon, Steve Zahn, Connor Fielding
Official Website: Link.

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Based on the best seling novel, this movie is about a school student, Greg Heffley and his first year of middle school with both friends and enemies. His journey is told through his diary and his cartoon drawings.

Worth seeing?

This film continues the popular trend of turning minor childrens books into films. Reviews overseas have been mixed but it has fared better at the box office than most of its kind and a sequel is already scheduled for release next year. It should most likely please the tween set.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYv1yNuv3sI

Charlie St Cloud

Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: M
Running Time: 99 min
Director: Burr Steers
Cast: Zac Efron, Amanda Crew, Ray Liotta, Kim Basinger, Chris Massoglia
Official Website: Link.

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Charlie St. Cloud is a young man overcome by grief at the death of his younger brother. So much so that he takes a job as caretaker of the cemetery in which his brother is buried. Charlie has a special lasting bond with his brother though, as he can see him. Charlie meets up with his brother (Sam) each night to play catch and talk. Then, a girl comes into Charlie’s life and he must choose between keeping a promise he made to Sam, or going after the girl he loves

Worth seeing?

While Mr Efron still has a long way to go to win over the majority of the male movie going population, he has proved that he has a certain charm by not only making fluffy teen fare like 17 Again watchable but was also one of the hightlights of the excellent Me And Orson Welles. However, the trailer for this does make it look like another sappy and manipulative drama aimed at making teenage girls spend all their pocket money on Kleenex. Maybe Efron needs to choose his projects more wisely if he ever wants to be considered the next Michael J. Fox.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l-KEIQtMQs

Furry Vengeance

Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Running Time: 91 min
Director: Roger Kumble
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Ricky Garcia, Eugene Cordero

Official Website: Link:

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

FURRY VENGEANCE is a live action family comedy in which an ambitious young real estate developer, Dan Sanders, faces off with a band of angry animals when his new housing subdivision pushes too far into a pristine part of the wilderness. Led by an incredibly clever raccoon, the animals stymie the development and teach our hero about the environmental consequences of man’s encroachment on nature.

Worth seeing?

You know a film is going to be bad when you turn the trailer off half way through. Brendan Fraser’s career is one of the modern world’s greatest mysteries. How can a relatively charismatic leading man who is able to carry a blockbuster franchise like The Mummy, end up starring in so many awkwardly bad PG comedies (Monkeybone anyone?!) Furry Vengeance is guaranteed to be yet another critical and commercial bust at the box office for poor Mr Fraser.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9vRrYrgjAk

Anjaana Anjaani

Genre: Comedy/Musical/Hindi
Rating: TBA
Running Time: TBA
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra

Official Website: Link.

This film is in limited release. For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

This is the story of two strangers on an odyssey of discovery — down a path that is ridden with the exquisite pain and joy of falling in love, only… This is the story of two strangers on an odyssey of discovery — down a path that is ridden with the exquisite pain and joy of falling in love, only they don’t realize it. A series of hilarious misadventures trace their bi coastal road journey as they go about fulfilling their last wishes. But then life interrupts, as is its habit; and painful choices must be made. The duo part with the understanding that their days together were a brief interlude of insanity that had to succumb to real life. They part as they met – as strangers.

Worth seeing?

There really isn’t much info out there about this film, bar a few early reviews from India. The trailer is quite energetic, as is the soundtrack so it might be worth a look if this genre is a favourite of yours.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y79fqrTBnFc&ob=av3e

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

Competition: Win THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE Prize Pack!

New Movie Releases 30/09/10: Dinner for Schmucks, Legend of the Guardians

New Movie Releases 16/09/10: The Last Airbender, Cats & Dogs 2

Alex Lindsey Jones — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 13:34:45 +0000

Opening in cinemas across Australia this week we have a number of new films ranging from the intriguing (I’m Still Here) to the irrelevant (Cats & Dogs 2) to the reportedly awful (The Last Airbender). Continue reading for film details, trailers and recommendations!

The Last Airbender

Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: PG
Running Time: 103 min
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Jackson Rathbone, Nicola Peltz, Dev Patel, Noah Ringer
Official Website: link

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world.

Worth seeing?

M. Night’s career has been on the slide ever since he cheated audiences and lost their trust with The Village back in 2004. While this film is on track to become his first legitimate box office hit in over half a decade, the critical slaying it has received overseas suggests you should stay far far away from this turkey. Some things just never change.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMoGFeMmhKA

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Genre: Family, Comedy
Rating: G
Running Time: 85 min
Director: Brad Peyton
Cast: Carlos Alazraqui, Christina Applegate, Fred Armisen
Official Website: link

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

In the age-old battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves — and their humans.

Worth seeing?

Not that the first movie was a groundbreaking experience by any means but it did manage to be a cute distraction for the kiddies and maybe the odd animal lover. This seems too little to late, as it’s taken 9 years to get the sequel to the screen and no one was really asking for it either. Reviews and box office receipts in the U.S. have been luke warm at best, but you could probably do worse this weekend and see The Last Airbender.

Read Amy Killin’s two star review here.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0tqsdtoDb4

I’m Still Here

Genre: Documentary
Rating: M
Running Time: 108 min
Director: Casey Affleck
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs
Official Website: link

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

The directorial debut of Oscar-nominated actor Casey Affleck, I’M STILL HERE is a striking portrayal of a tumultuous year in the life of internationally acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix. With remarkable access, I’M STILL HERE follows the Oscar-nominee as he announces his retirement from a successful film career in the fall of 2008 and sets off to reinvent himself as a hip hop musician. Sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, and always riveting, the film is a portrait of an artist at a crossroads. Defying expectations, it deftly explores notions of courage and creative reinvention, as well as the ramifications of a life spent in the public eye.

Worth seeing?

This looks intriguing to say the least. There has been much debate as to whether this doco and the subject’s retirement from acting are real or just an elaborate prank being played on the public by the star and director. Either way the best part of two years have passed since Joaquin Phoenix has graced our screens and if it is just a big joke, you have to at least admire the commitment to the gag. This one could be the ticket this weekend.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2spHiYOORc

Easy A

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Rating: M
Running Time: 92 min
Director: Will Gluck
Cast: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Cam Gigandet, Lisa Kudrow,
Official Website: link

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Stone plays a high school student who, after being ostracized by a false rumor she’s loose, uses the rumor mill to her advantage, pitting puritanical students and teachers against their liberal counterparts. – The film weaves the plight of The Scarlet Letter heroine Hester Prynne into a parallel storyline to what the Easy A protagonist endures.

Worth seeing?

In the tradition of films like 10 Things I Hate About You, this new teen flick could be the just the vehicle to break out rising young star Emma Booth. If the trailer is anything to go by it could be a bit of light fun aimed at the teen set. Also it’s probably better than The Last Airbender and didn’t cost 150 million to make.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNbPnqyvItk

The Reluctant Infidel

Genre: Comedy
Rating: M
Running Time: 105 min
Director: Josh Appignanesi
Cast: Archie Panjabi, Matt Lucas, Richard Scgiff, Omid Djalili
Official Website: http://infidelmovie.com/

This film is in limited release. For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

Meet MAHMUD NASIR (Omid Djalili), loving husband, doting father and something of a relaxed Muslim.
Does the F word occasionally pass his lips? Its hardly worth mentioning. Does he say his prayers five times a day? Of course! Well, usually Does he fast every day of Ramadan? Whos counting anyway?
He may not be the most observant, but in his heart he is as Muslim as it gets. But after his mothers death a discovery turns Mahmuds world upside down. He finds his birth certificate which reveals that not only was he adopted at birth but hes Jewish, and his real name is Solly Shimshillewitz!
As Mahmud tumbles headlong into a full scale identity crisis, the only person he can turn to is LENNY (Richard Schiff), a drunken Jewish cabbie who agrees to give him lessons in Jewishness, which start with how to dance like Topol. Oy vey.

Worth seeing?

With modest reviews so far, this British comedy tackles taboo subject matter but it seems unlikely that it will get close to reaching the heights of Four Lions from last month.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMudF0MQgC0

The Extra Man

Genre: Comedy
Rating: M
Running Time: 105 min
Directors: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Cast: Kevin Kline, Katie Holmes, John C. Reilly, Paul Dano
Official Website: link

For session times in your area, click here.

Studio’s Synopsis:

THE EXTRA MAN follows Louis Ives (Paul Dano), a lonely dreamer who fancies himself the hero of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. When a deeply embarrassing incident forces him to leave his job at an exclusive Princeton prep school, Louis heads to New York City to make a fresh start. He quickly finds a 9 to 5 job at an environmental magazine, where he encounters an entrancing, green-obsessed co-worker Mary (Katie Holmes) but, what really sparks Louis’ imagination is his new home life. He rents a room in the ramshackle apartment of Henry Harrison (Kevin Kline), a penniless, wildly eccentric and brilliant playwright. Along his exploration into the heart of New York City, Henry and Louis have unexpected influences on each other and form a memorable bond that bridges their differences.

Worth seeing?

Based on the novel by Jonathan Ames, this film has a great cast including the always charming Kevin Kline and also marks the return of Katie Holmes, who has been far too busy being Mrs Cruise for the last few years. Could be a charming little indie treat!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp3ItefraLw

New Movie Releases 07/10/10: Buried, Eat Pray Love

New Release Movies 21/10/10: Paranormal Activity 2, Life As We Know It

New Movie Releases 23/09/10: Wall Street 2, The Girl Who Played With Fire

New Movie Releases 30/09/10: Dinner for Schmucks, Legend of the Guardians

New Release Movies: 14/10/10 – The Town, Resident Evil: Afterlife

Cinema Releases: July 23, 2009 – Drag Me To Hell, Red Cliff

Anders Wotzke — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:51:44 +0000

Now showing in cinemas across Australia:

Drag me to Hell (MA)
★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Christine Brown has a good job, a great boyfriend, and a bright future. But in three days, she’s going to hell.

Red Cliff (M)
★★★½
Based on the events during the Three Kingdoms period in Ancient China in which specifically told in the title, The Battle of Red Cliffs.

Wake in Fright (M)

Fully restored 35mm print of Ted Kotcheff’s controversial 1971 Australian/American co-production about a young teacher who becomes trapped within the violent and drunken culture of the Australian outback

For session times in your area, click here.

Detailed Listings:

Drag Me To Hell

Review: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 99min
Director: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Jessica Lucas, Lorna Raver
Official Website: View

For session times in your area, click here.

Synopsis:

Christine Brown is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend, professor Clay Dalton. Life is good until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush arrives at the bank to beg for an extension on her home loan. Should Christine follow her instincts and give the old woman a break? Or should she deny the extension to impress her boss, Mr. Jacks, and get a leg-up on a promotion? Christine fatefully chooses the latter, shaming Mrs. Ganush and dispossessing her of her home. In retaliation, the old woman places the powerful curse of the Lamia on Christine, transforming her life into a living hell. Haunted by an evil spirit and misunderstood by a skeptical boyfriend, she seeks the aid of seer Rham Jas to save her soul from eternal damnation. To help the shattered Christine return her life to normal, the psychic sets her on a frantic course to reverse the spell. As evil forces close in, Christine must face the unthinkable: How far will she go to break free of the curse?

Worth Seeing?
Review: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Here’s what I had to say:

“While I’ve been laughing at horror films for years, I can’t remember the last time I laughed with one. That’s what separates Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell from the recent genre offerings; not only is it genuinely scary, it’s also outrageously funny. And for once, it’s intentional.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-REviL75zg

Red Cliff
Review: ★★★½

Genre: Action | Adventure | Drama | History | War
Rating: M
Running Time: 148 min
Director: John Woo
Cast: Tony Leung, Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen, Chi-Ling Lin
Website: View

For session times in your area, click here.

Synopsis:

After directing stylish action films such as THE KILLERS and FACE-OFF, director John Woo turns to Chinese history for inspiration with RED CLIFF. The Han Dynasty is facing its death in third century China, and the emperor raises a million-man army against two kingdoms that are hopelessly outmatched. This war film stars Tony Leung, the beloved actor best known for LUST, CAUTION and IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE.

Worth Seeing?
Review: ★★★½

Here’s what Katina had to say:

“Red Cliff is pure visual indulgence, plot all but forgotten when the battle is nigh. Good lead performances give this story a worthy life amid its few faults.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjTFxGRCTXw

Wake in Fright

Genre: Drama | Thriller
Rating: M
Running Time: 114 min
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Cast: Gary Bond, Donald Pleasence and Chips Rafferty

Website: View

For session times in your area, click here.

Synopsis:

Based on the novel by Kenneth Cook, director Ted Kotcheff’s controversial 1971 Australian/American co-production was almost lost to cinema’s past as the only known 16mm and 35m prints of the film were in an extremely poor condition for screening. But the 2004 discovery of the original negatives in a Pittsburgh vault destined for destruction has seen the film carefully restored by the National Film and Sound Archive and Atlab/Deluxe, securing a slot in the Classics Program at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, where it first premiered in 1971 and was nominated for the Golden Palm Award. Starring Gary Bond, Donald Pleasence, Chips Rafferty and Jack Thompson, Cook’s story of a young teacher who becomes trapped within the violent and drunken culture of the Australian outback is a riveting drama that is now considered a classic of Australian Cinema Culture. Fully restored 35mm print.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiz7sx0fD7E

Genre: Horror / Thriller
Rating: Running Time: 99min
Director: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Jessica Lucas, Lorna Raver
Official Website: View

Cinema Releases July 9, 2009 – Bruno, Fox and the Child

Cinema Releases July 2nd, 2009 – Ice Age 3, Last Ride

Cinema Releases July 16, 2009 – Harry Potter 6, Lucky Country

Cinema Releases – April 23, 2009

Cinema Releases: 18 June, 2009 – Year One, The Proposal, Disgrace