Swamped. That has been my week in a word. As much as I’d love to be able to blog daily, other commitments have made this damn near impossible of late!

Enough excuses, the show must go on…and even though it’s a few days late, I think it’s time for Cut, Print, Preview!

This week in Australia we (finally) get our grubby little hands on Burn After Reading and Body of Lies. Actually in tune with the States for once, the noir video game adaptation Max Payne also hits the big screen.

Burn After Reading

Comedy/Crime
Wide Release

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Starring: see poster!

I’ve been impatiently waiting for this one to reach the land of the Roo. It’s only since I’ve started blogging that I have realised just how behind Australia is when it comes to film releases. For the Coen’s follow-up film to last years Oscar-winning No Country for Old Men, you’d be inclined to think a worldwide release would be the best marketing approach. Obviously not…

Whilst the reception of Burn After Reading isn’t setting off many critic’s Osc-dar (see what I did there?), the response has still been generally favorable. The film is probably worth a look given that most of the cast is made up of names that tend to be preceded by the words “Academy Award winning/nominated”. Aside from the renowned directors, Burn After Reading boast names like Clooney, Swinton, Pitt, Malkovich and McDormand. That fact that it’s probably a great, quirky comedy is just an added bonus.

I say:
Burn is defiantly worth a look, even just for the stellar cast and crew. However, don’t go in expecting another No Country For Old Men or even The Big Lebowski. The critical consensus is that this isn’t the Coen brothers finest hour, but an enjoyable one none the less.

Max Payne

Action/Crime/Drama
Wide release

Director: John Moore
Starring: Mark Walhberg, Mila Kurtis, Chris O’Donnell

I’ve been both anticipating and fearing the release of Max Payne. The anticipation is there because I thoroughly enjoyed the games, which captured the essence of noir genre perfectly and made bullet-time freakin awesome again. However, the fear stems from an inherent inability for any film-to-game adaptation to be good. Actually, getting your hand caught in a car door is probably less excruciating than most game inspired films. Although, this stereotype is largely based on the works of the world’s most renowned bad director, Uwe Boll. The stylized trailer reminded me of Sin City, which is a good thing, so there is hope yet. I also don’t mind Walhberg, as long as I pretend The Happening didn’t, erm, happen.

I say:

Maybe, just maybe, Max Payne will be a shining gem in a sea of garbage. Fan’s of the game will no doubt see it and enjoy it regardless, but i’m hoping there some real substance to Max’s emotional Payne.

Body of Lies

Action/Thriller
Wide Release

Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani.

Hasn’t the world had enough Terrorism? I thought that after it became funny to pay out the tactic and those that strive to prevent it (i.e America World Police) there wouldn’t be much of a market for serious takes on the topic. Although, the relative success of 2007′s The Kingdom does prove otherwise. Ridley Scott obviously disagrees with me as well, and has mustered up the support of Leonardo Di Caprio and Russell Crowe to prove it. Scott is a once great director who has lost my interest of late; American Gangster, Kingdom of Heaven and A Good Year left me cold. As much as I have enjoyed the works of Leonardo Di Caprio, I don’t think Body of Lies is going to do Scott any favours to his slowing career.

I say:

The critical consensus suggests that this Body of Lies was best left untold. I’d say that it’s good advice.

That’s it for this week folks! Next week be prepared to lose friends and alienate them, but rebound by meeting The Women. If elaborate death traps and self torture does it for you, then also be prepared to be Sawed for the fifth time.

Follow the author Anders Wotzke on Twitter.