New movies hitting South African cinemas: Runaways for Phillip Morris
Six new films open in South Africa today, and given their variety hopefully there's a little something for everyone looking for a distraction from the inevitable post-World Cup blues.
Today's new releases include Fate-focused Bollywood romance Milenge Milenge, headlined by Shahid and Kareena Kapoor, and Aussie melodrama - and novel adaptation - The Boys are Back with Scott (Shine) Hicks directing and Clive Owen starring as a writer overwhelmed by single parenthood (72% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). Then there's black comedy World's Greatest Dad (87% Fresh), from funny voiced funnyman Bobcat Goldthwait. Robin Williams plays a frustrated writer whose work finally receives the recognition he always desired, when he creates poignant suicide notes while masquerading as his dead son. If that's too dark for you, then there's the part-animated comedy Diary of a Wimpy Kid (55% Fresh). Based on the illustrated novel of the same name, Diary is essentially a coming of age tale, centred on a tween's misadventures as he attempts to achieve popularity at junior high.
Meanwhile, my two movie picks of the week only really piqued my interest after watching their trailers recently.
First up is The Runaways, a musical biopic of the pioneering, '70s all-girl rock band of the same name. Twilight co-stars Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning reteam as the real life Joan Jett and Cherie Currie respectively - two rebellious Southern California girls who found their friendship tested as they rose to rock 'n roll stardom. You can watch the film's trailer here, and apart from marvelling at how Dakota Fanning has really grown up(!), I must say that the movie looks like a fabulously authentic snapshot of an era.
The Runaways is 63% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which isn't at all bad. The film has been praised for its strong performances, spirit and sense of humour. However, it's also been criticised for remaining relatively superficial, offering nothing new as far as movie tales of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll are concerned. Still though, I think if you're in the mood for an entertaining snapshot of rock history, at the moment you couldn't do any better than The Runaways.
Second choice for the weekend is controversial comedy I Love You Phillip Morris (trailer here). Based on a bizarre true story, the film centres on police officer Steven Russell (Jim Carrey), who, after a near-death experience, rejects his conservative, law-abiding life and comes out as a gay man. To support his new flamboyant lifestyle Russell becomes a con artist and during one of his prison stays he meets the love of his life, Phillip Morris ((Ewan McGregor). When Morris is released, Russell escapes from prison multiple times, using an assortment of methods, to be with his lover. Just think of the film as a gayer, funnier Catch Me if You Can.
Given the film's explicit homosexual content, I Love You Phillip Morris has yet to be screened outside of film festivals in the United States. It also has yet to land a major studio distributor. Don't treat these release delays and problems as a indicator of the film's qualify however. I Love You Phillip Morris is 84% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is apparently one of Carrey's best ever, with strong acting by both him and McGregor. According to reviews, the film is sweet, exuberant, heavily camp, and, unsurprisingly, rather odd.
Homophobes beware though! I Love You Phillip Morris is NOT a "safe" crowd-pleasing comedy vetted by Hollywood executives. There will be man-on-man action - and it's definitely more in line with Bruno than I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.
Today's new releases include Fate-focused Bollywood romance Milenge Milenge, headlined by Shahid and Kareena Kapoor, and Aussie melodrama - and novel adaptation - The Boys are Back with Scott (Shine) Hicks directing and Clive Owen starring as a writer overwhelmed by single parenthood (72% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). Then there's black comedy World's Greatest Dad (87% Fresh), from funny voiced funnyman Bobcat Goldthwait. Robin Williams plays a frustrated writer whose work finally receives the recognition he always desired, when he creates poignant suicide notes while masquerading as his dead son. If that's too dark for you, then there's the part-animated comedy Diary of a Wimpy Kid (55% Fresh). Based on the illustrated novel of the same name, Diary is essentially a coming of age tale, centred on a tween's misadventures as he attempts to achieve popularity at junior high.
Meanwhile, my two movie picks of the week only really piqued my interest after watching their trailers recently.
First up is The Runaways, a musical biopic of the pioneering, '70s all-girl rock band of the same name. Twilight co-stars Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning reteam as the real life Joan Jett and Cherie Currie respectively - two rebellious Southern California girls who found their friendship tested as they rose to rock 'n roll stardom. You can watch the film's trailer here, and apart from marvelling at how Dakota Fanning has really grown up(!), I must say that the movie looks like a fabulously authentic snapshot of an era.
The Runaways is 63% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which isn't at all bad. The film has been praised for its strong performances, spirit and sense of humour. However, it's also been criticised for remaining relatively superficial, offering nothing new as far as movie tales of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll are concerned. Still though, I think if you're in the mood for an entertaining snapshot of rock history, at the moment you couldn't do any better than The Runaways.
Second choice for the weekend is controversial comedy I Love You Phillip Morris (trailer here). Based on a bizarre true story, the film centres on police officer Steven Russell (Jim Carrey), who, after a near-death experience, rejects his conservative, law-abiding life and comes out as a gay man. To support his new flamboyant lifestyle Russell becomes a con artist and during one of his prison stays he meets the love of his life, Phillip Morris ((Ewan McGregor). When Morris is released, Russell escapes from prison multiple times, using an assortment of methods, to be with his lover. Just think of the film as a gayer, funnier Catch Me if You Can.
Given the film's explicit homosexual content, I Love You Phillip Morris has yet to be screened outside of film festivals in the United States. It also has yet to land a major studio distributor. Don't treat these release delays and problems as a indicator of the film's qualify however. I Love You Phillip Morris is 84% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is apparently one of Carrey's best ever, with strong acting by both him and McGregor. According to reviews, the film is sweet, exuberant, heavily camp, and, unsurprisingly, rather odd.
Homophobes beware though! I Love You Phillip Morris is NOT a "safe" crowd-pleasing comedy vetted by Hollywood executives. There will be man-on-man action - and it's definitely more in line with Bruno than I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.
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