Today at the movies, SA!
Three new films open in South Africa today. Only one though has piqued my interest. Next weekend, however, Disney/Pixar's Up and Crank 2: High Voltage both come out (after 4-5 month waits!), so a little lull isn't a bad thing.
Anyway, Public Enemies is the big cinema draw card for this weekend. Starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale (still in grim, serious mode), Billy Crudup and Marion Cotillard, the film is the latest from writer-director-producer Michael Mann, who has previously given us the slick macho action-dramas Heat, Collateral and, most recently, Miami Vice.
Public Enemies is based on the true story of Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp), a charismatic bank robber who became the priority target of J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling FBI organisation. This 2 and a half hour movie seems to have divided reviewers and many of my favourite movie bloggers. Some have praised the film for its compelling performances, technical brilliance and high entertainment value, while others have labelled it too slick for its own good, overlong and a waste of a talented cast who apparently phone in their acting.
My personal feeling is that viewer response will hinge on your enjoyment of Michael Mann's distinct filmmaking style. For the record Public Enemies is 67% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
As for other movies released this weekend:
Intonga is a local drama about a young man Siviwe (Mzukisi Ntatiso), who moves to the city with his mother after his father's death. A confrontation with a bully and champion boxer soon forces Siviwe to fight for respect and he is taken under the wing of a local priest, who helps with his physical training and spiritual development. Apparently Intonga is South Africa's first full-length Xhosa film, but this hasn't saved it from being called a dreary, derivative student film by critics.
Adam, meanwhile, is a romantic comedy-drama starring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne, and centres on a young man with a form of autism - and an intense obsession with space exploration - who falls in love with a free spirit. This attraction forces him to engage with the world and develop his social skills. A moderate indie hit on the Film Festival circuit, Adam is 64% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Anyway, Public Enemies is the big cinema draw card for this weekend. Starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale (still in grim, serious mode), Billy Crudup and Marion Cotillard, the film is the latest from writer-director-producer Michael Mann, who has previously given us the slick macho action-dramas Heat, Collateral and, most recently, Miami Vice.
Public Enemies is based on the true story of Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp), a charismatic bank robber who became the priority target of J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling FBI organisation. This 2 and a half hour movie seems to have divided reviewers and many of my favourite movie bloggers. Some have praised the film for its compelling performances, technical brilliance and high entertainment value, while others have labelled it too slick for its own good, overlong and a waste of a talented cast who apparently phone in their acting.
My personal feeling is that viewer response will hinge on your enjoyment of Michael Mann's distinct filmmaking style. For the record Public Enemies is 67% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
As for other movies released this weekend:
Intonga is a local drama about a young man Siviwe (Mzukisi Ntatiso), who moves to the city with his mother after his father's death. A confrontation with a bully and champion boxer soon forces Siviwe to fight for respect and he is taken under the wing of a local priest, who helps with his physical training and spiritual development. Apparently Intonga is South Africa's first full-length Xhosa film, but this hasn't saved it from being called a dreary, derivative student film by critics.
Adam, meanwhile, is a romantic comedy-drama starring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne, and centres on a young man with a form of autism - and an intense obsession with space exploration - who falls in love with a free spirit. This attraction forces him to engage with the world and develop his social skills. A moderate indie hit on the Film Festival circuit, Adam is 64% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Comments
Great to hear that Up is finally coming out as well! I've been waiting ages for it!
As for Up, I'm with you totally! It's been something like a 4 month wait for us. If only they'd released the film back in May/June and saved blimmen Ice Age 3 for the September school holidays instead.