Movies out today

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Four new movies open in South Africa today, offering a little bit for everyone.

For the tweens there's the Jonas Brothers - The 3D Concert Experience. "Kevin, Joe and Nick in 3D. SQUEEEE! I don't find the brothers especially good looking or even talented, but then again I'm not 10. Disney certainly knows how to milk teenage girls (and their parents) of their dollars. Rotten Tomatoes critics' comments here.


Renee Zellweger has her Oscar now so she isn't exactly afraid to creatively slum it in assorted undemanding romantic comedies. New in Town is her latest, a fish-out-of-water tale about a jet-setting Miami businesswoman who finds herself posted to remote, rural Minnesota. Harry Connick, Jr. is the sexy hick who tries to warm her heart. just wonder how the inhabitants of Minnesota feel about being so stereotyped? 18% on Rotten Tomatoes.

I'm not really interested in box office, particularly local figures, but the big battle of the weekend is sure to be between the following 2 films:

Slumdog Millionaire was this year's big Academy Award winner, taking home 8 Oscars including such biggies as Best Film. This feel-good film centres on an orphan from the slums of Mumbai who is on the verge of winning the Indian version of Who Want to be a Millionaire? Only thing is, no one believes a "slumdog" can do it unless he's cheating. Most serious Oscar watchers admit the high entertainment value of the film but don't consider it to be Film of the Year material. Still, it scored 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.


I've written so much about Watchmen, I actually have nothing further to add... other than I'm as nervous about going to see this dark, complex superhero epic as I was for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Please, oh please, don't let it be a letdown like Crystal Skull, or Troy! I really want Watchmen to be my movie of the year.

I've been avoiding reviews where possible but the few comments I have picked up on are that the film IS the Watchmen comic adaptation fans have been waiting for... but that it's certainly flawed and peters off towards the end. Currently Watchmen is on 65% at Rotten Tomatoes.

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