This week, four films are opening into cinemas across Australia:

Ghost Town – When Bertram Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts.

He’s Just Not That Into You – The Baltimore-set movie of interconnecting story arcs deals with the challenges of reading or misreading human behavior.

Rachel Getting Married – A young woman who has been in and out from rehab for the past 10 years returns home for the weekend for her sister’s wedding.

My Bloody Valentine 3D – Tom returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine’s night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people.

Continue reading for a complete run-down of these films.

Ghost Town

Genre: Comedy
Rating: M
Running Time: 102min
Director: David Koepp
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Kristen Wiig, Téa Leoni, Billy Campbell
Official Website: View

Synopsis:

In the comedy “Ghost Town,” Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear), who pesters him into breaking up the impending marriage of his widow Gwen (Téa Leoni). That puts Pincus squarely in the middle of a triangle, with spirited results

My Opinion: I reviewed Ghost Town here (3/5 stars). Verdict from the review:

“Hollywood has a habit of misusing or limiting the talent of British comedians, and while Ghost Town certainly does have its moments, it’s a good example of a film that does exactly that.”

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He’s Just Not That Into You

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Rating: M
Running Time: 129min
Director: Ken Kwapis
Cast: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper
Official Website: View

Synopsis:

The Baltimore-set movie of interconnecting story arcs deals with the challenges of reading or misreading human behavior. Jennifer Connelly plays a woman stuck in a tired marriage with Cooper’s character. Kevin Connolly, meanwhile, is a man pining after a woman, still not cast, who is having an affair with Cooper.

Goodwin is a young woman obsessed with Kevin Connolly’s character who tries to set up accidental meetings with him only to run across his friend, played by Long, who takes her on as a “My Fair Lady” experiment.

Barrymore plays a woman perpetually confused by dating, now more than ever in a culture that is more obsessed with technology than actual human contact.

My Opinion:

The star studded cast makes this romantic comedy worth looking into, but with multiple sub-plots, I can’t help but feel that the film will not give it’s audience a chance to get to know all the characters.

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Rachel Getting Married

Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: M
Running Time: 113 min
Director: Jonathan Demme
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin, Mather Zickel
Official Website: View

Synopsis:

This pitch black comedy-come-drama throws the sugar-coated wedding movie on its head and is a return to form for director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs, Philadlphia). Anne Hathaway is nearly unrecognisable as the black sheep sister whose drug problems and history of family conflict bring a dark cloud to the celebrations of her sister’s (Rosemarie Dewitt) wedding.  Filled with rich and eclectic characters, Rachel Getting Marries paints a heartfelt, perceptive and sometimes hilarious family portrait, and is a definite awards contender for 2009.

My Opinion:

Backed with an Oscar nomination for Best Actress (Anne Hathaway), Rachel Getting Married is certainly on my must see list, especially when you consider that acclaimed film-maker Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, The Manchurian Candidate) is behind the film.

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My Bloody Valentine 3D*

Genre: Horror / Thriller
Rating: R 18+
Running Time: 101min
Director: Patrick Lussier
Cast: Jaime King, Jensen Ackles, Kerr Smith, Edi Gathegi, Kevin Tighe, Megan Boone
Official Website: View

Synopsis:

Tom (Ackles) returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine’s night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Instead of a homecoming, however, Tom finds himself suspected of committing the murders, and it seems like his old flame (King) is the only one will believes he’s innocent.

My Opinion:

Is it wrong to want to see this film solely for the 3D element? Probably, but the horror genre has been lacking in originality for years, and this might just be the ticket needed to spice things up.

* Note that 3D screenings are as advertised in selected cinemas only. 2D screenings are also available.

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