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

Watchmen

When an ex-superhero is murdered, a vigilante named Rorschach begins an investigation into the murder, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion.

New In Town

A Miami businesswoman adjusts to her new life in a tiny Minnesota town.

Dean Spanley

Fisk Senior has little time or affection for his son, but when the pair visit an eccentric Indian, they start a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart.

Beautiful

A drama about Australian suburbia as you have never seen it—as a territory which is sexual, funny, sensuous, strange and terrifying, a place which might have been imagined by David Lynch or Pedro Almodovar.

The Secret Life of Bees

Set in South Carolina in 1964, this is the tale of Lily Owens a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother.

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Watchmen

Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 155 min
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Matthew Goode, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Official Website: View

Synopsis:

It all begins with the paranoid delusions of a half-insane hero called Rorschach. But is Rorschach really insane or has he in fact uncovered a plot to murder super-heroes and, even worse, millions of innocent civilians? On the run from the law, Rorschach reunites with his former teammates in a desperate attempt to save the world and their lives, but what they uncover will shock them to their very core and change the face of the planet! Following two generations of masked superheroes from the close of World War II to the icy shadow of the Cold War comes this groundbreaking comic story – the story of The Watchmen.

“Watchmen” is based on the 12-part DC Comics series written by Alan Moore and featuring art by Dave Gibbons.

My Opinion: Easily the most anticipated release of the year is finally is here. The hype surrounding the film is going to be hard to live up to, but I have a good feeling director Zack Synder has given the graphic novel the treatment it deserves. Given the source material and the MA rating, this isn’t a comic book movie for kids.

I personally can’t wait to see this!

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New In Town

Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Running Time: 93 min
Director: Jonas Elmer
Cast: Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr., J.K. Simmons, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Frances Conroy
Official Website: View

Synopsis:

A high-powered consultant in love with her upscale Miami lifestyle is sent to a middle of nowhere town in Minnesota to oversee the restructuring of a blue collar manufacturing plant. After enduring a frosty reception from the locals, icy roads and freezing weather, she warms up to the small town’s charm, and eventually finds herself being accepted by the community. When she’s ordered to close down the plant and put the entire community out of work, she’s forced to reconsider her goals and priorities, and finds a way to save the town.

My Opinion: New In Town is fundamentally the alternative to those not looking for a  CG heavy superhero fix in Watchmen, albiet not a very good one. The plot looks about as cliched as it gets and the way in which the poster carries an uncanny resemblance to that of Sweet Home Alabama (2002) is unsprising given the writer, C. Jay Cox, is the same for both films. In other words; if you like that film,  you’ll probably like this one. 

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Dean Spanley

Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rating: G
Running Time: 100 min
Director: Toa Fraser
Cast: Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill, Bryan Brown, Peter O’Toole
Official Website: View

Synopsis:

Set in Edwardian England where upper lips are always stiff and men from the Colonies are not entirely to be trusted, Fisk Senior has little time or affection for his son, but when the pair visit an eccentric Indian, they start a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart.

My Opinion:

I’ll be the first to admit period drama’s are not my thing, but one that stars Peter O’toole and Sam Neil might be. The fact that this film is also an offbeat comedy sets it well apart from many period dramas. Don’t call me a convert just yet, but this one is worth checking out.

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Beautiful

Genre: Drama/ Thriller

Rating: MA15+

Running Time: 97 min

Director: Dean O’Flaherty

Cast: Deborra-Lee Furness, Sebastian Gregory, Aaron Jeffery

Official Website: View

Synopsis:

From Adelaide based Kojo Pictures comes a drama about Australian suburbia as you have never seen it – as a territory which is sexual, funny, sensuous, strange and terrifying.  Viewing his world through the lens of an old camera, Daniel is – like many in the neighbourhood – both entranced and disturbed by the sinister rumours  of missing teenage girls that circulate in whispers from house to house.  When a third teenage girl disappears without a trace, the locals all point to the derelict house at number 46.  Debut feature for director Dean O’Flaherty and stars Deborra Lee-Furness.

My Opinion: Considering the film was made in my city of Adelaide, I feel as though it would be un-Australian of me not to make an effort to see this film. Elise managed to catch the premiere at the Bigpond Adelaide Film Festival, and had this to say in her 4 star review:

“Australian cinema has never looked so good, literally! This was a film that was beautifully shot, but had a story and ending that was far from beautiful. Rather, it showed the dreadful and dangerous side of suburbia, and what can happen when you start delving into the secrets of others. Striking yet terrible, a good yet horrible story, Beautiful is a film that will keep you in suspense throughout. And then deliver the most brutal of knockout punches at the end!”

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The Secret Life of Bees

Genre: Adventure/Drama
Rating: M
Running Time: 110 min
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Cast: Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okonedo, Alicia Keys, Paul Bettany
Official Website: View

Synopsis:

Set in South Carolina in 1964, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Burton). To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna.

My Opinion:

I feel like I’m well outside the target audience in this film, appealing predominately to the gender opposite of mine. This is probably due to the fact that the title reminds me too much of The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants; a film that actually requires you to have a uterus  in order to gain admission. However, there is probably a heart-warming story in this film most will enjoy, yet I’m unlikely to ever find that out.

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