Movies today, South Africa!
Seven new films hit SA cinema screens today. I can't say I have any great burning desire to rush out and see any of them, but let's start with the more high profile releases shall we?
The Ugly Truth - A romantic comedy starring the unusual combination of Knocked Up's Katherine Heigl and 300's Gerard Butler. She's a workaholic TV producer who suddenly finds herself working on her beloved morning show with him, an abrasive new host obsessed with dishing the dirt on the differences between men and women - using the most coarse language imaginable. Expect lots of exasperated arguments, followed by long pining looks as the 2 leads realise they have feelings for each other and... well, you should know the drill by now.
Apart from seeing the posters here and there, absolutely no buzz has reached me about The Ugly Truth. And that's never a good sign, especially when your film's stars have a tendency to irritate and alienate some viewers as it is. The Ugly Truth is 15% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
August - I'm not quite sure who would be interested in this drama apart from Josh Hartnett fans. August explores (apparently quite superficially) the infamous dot-com rise and fall of the late '90s and early 21st Century, and centres on one young man (Hartnett) about to lose it all - his start-up company, his girlfriend, his friends and his fortune. Naomie Harris, Adam Scott, Robin Tunney and David Bowie round out the cast.
The film looked alright in its trailers; solid but nothing special. 36% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Blood: The Last Vampire - Fans of Blade, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Japanese animation will probably be extremely excited for this bloody action movie based on the hit anime series. Saya may look like a 16 year old girl (in a sailor suit no less!), but in reality she's a centuries old half-human-half-vampire who has dedicated herself to ridding the world of vampires with her katana. Now she has set her sights on the mother of all vampires, and the ultimate battle.
I'm not an anime fan, but reading the synopsis as well as critics' reviews, I'm sorely tempted to see Blood: The Last Vampire, if only for a good laugh. Apparently it's one of those rare films that is so awful it's actually good! Blood: The Last Vampire is currently sitting at 20% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Oh, and it's English-language in case you are allergic to subtitles for some ridiculous reason.
Rounding off the rest of the movie weekend, there's the following in limited release:
Looking for Eric - This gentle art circuit drama screened earlier this year as part of the Durban International Film Festival. Eric Bishop, a British postman, escapes from his troubles by imagining a friendship with his favourite football star, a highly philosophical Eric Cantona (playing himself), who helps to turn the postman's life around. 88% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
La Traviata - Opera fans may want to catch this high definition recording of the famous production when it was staged in London's Royal Opera House in June this year - with acclaimed American soprano, Renée Fleming playing joyful Parisian courtesan, Violetta.
Last Night at the Proms - If you're still in the market for a musical celebration on the big screen, you can also catch this recording of the iconic annual event, filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London only a month or so ago. The Proms popularises classical music, playing newer pieces alongside familiar classics.
College Boys Live - If the title of this one sounds like a gay porn flick, you wouldn't be far off the mark. This documentary looks at a voyeur webcam house in Florida that has been at the centre of much controversy. Is it exploitative pornography, or does the house allow the young men who live there to feel comfortable and accepted in terms of their sexuality?
The Ugly Truth - A romantic comedy starring the unusual combination of Knocked Up's Katherine Heigl and 300's Gerard Butler. She's a workaholic TV producer who suddenly finds herself working on her beloved morning show with him, an abrasive new host obsessed with dishing the dirt on the differences between men and women - using the most coarse language imaginable. Expect lots of exasperated arguments, followed by long pining looks as the 2 leads realise they have feelings for each other and... well, you should know the drill by now.
Apart from seeing the posters here and there, absolutely no buzz has reached me about The Ugly Truth. And that's never a good sign, especially when your film's stars have a tendency to irritate and alienate some viewers as it is. The Ugly Truth is 15% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
August - I'm not quite sure who would be interested in this drama apart from Josh Hartnett fans. August explores (apparently quite superficially) the infamous dot-com rise and fall of the late '90s and early 21st Century, and centres on one young man (Hartnett) about to lose it all - his start-up company, his girlfriend, his friends and his fortune. Naomie Harris, Adam Scott, Robin Tunney and David Bowie round out the cast.
The film looked alright in its trailers; solid but nothing special. 36% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Blood: The Last Vampire - Fans of Blade, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Japanese animation will probably be extremely excited for this bloody action movie based on the hit anime series. Saya may look like a 16 year old girl (in a sailor suit no less!), but in reality she's a centuries old half-human-half-vampire who has dedicated herself to ridding the world of vampires with her katana. Now she has set her sights on the mother of all vampires, and the ultimate battle.
I'm not an anime fan, but reading the synopsis as well as critics' reviews, I'm sorely tempted to see Blood: The Last Vampire, if only for a good laugh. Apparently it's one of those rare films that is so awful it's actually good! Blood: The Last Vampire is currently sitting at 20% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Oh, and it's English-language in case you are allergic to subtitles for some ridiculous reason.
Rounding off the rest of the movie weekend, there's the following in limited release:
Looking for Eric - This gentle art circuit drama screened earlier this year as part of the Durban International Film Festival. Eric Bishop, a British postman, escapes from his troubles by imagining a friendship with his favourite football star, a highly philosophical Eric Cantona (playing himself), who helps to turn the postman's life around. 88% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
La Traviata - Opera fans may want to catch this high definition recording of the famous production when it was staged in London's Royal Opera House in June this year - with acclaimed American soprano, Renée Fleming playing joyful Parisian courtesan, Violetta.
Last Night at the Proms - If you're still in the market for a musical celebration on the big screen, you can also catch this recording of the iconic annual event, filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London only a month or so ago. The Proms popularises classical music, playing newer pieces alongside familiar classics.
College Boys Live - If the title of this one sounds like a gay porn flick, you wouldn't be far off the mark. This documentary looks at a voyeur webcam house in Florida that has been at the centre of much controversy. Is it exploitative pornography, or does the house allow the young men who live there to feel comfortable and accepted in terms of their sexuality?
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