Three weeks of Friday movie releases (4-18 February)
I'm not going to be around for the next fortnight, but seeing as I'd never leave you guys without guidance in the cinematic wilderness, I've put together a handy guide of all the notable movies releasing in South Africa over the coming few Fridays. And boy, it's a bumper period for lovers of quality, pedigreed cinema... with a few blockbuster exceptions. I'm going to have some serious catching up to do once I get home.
Today, 4 February
Black Swan: One of this year's biggest awards contenders, Oscar-nominated psychological thriller Black Swan is the latest from The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream director Darren Aronofsky. In this tale of high art meets hysteria, Natalie Portman is a highly strung prima ballerina who may or may not be having a mental breakdown. Mila Kunis and Winona Ryder co-star.
Black Swan is 88% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Powerful, intense and brilliantly acted, Black Swan may be too messy and melodramatic for some. You can check out this blog's Trailer Tuesday profile of the film here.
Fair Game: In this real-life spy drama, Naomi Watts is a CIA operative who has her cover blown by her own government - and her family's life put in danger - when her husband Sean Penn publicly criticises the White House's "Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq" claims. The film is directed by The Bourne Identity's Doug Liman.
Fair Game is 80% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. This engaging film is driven by the excellent performances of its stars and a general sense of outrage, although, by the sounds of it your political leanings will determine whether you buy the story as infuriating truth, or Leftist propaganda.
The Green Hornet: Screening in 2D and a leisurely 3D conversion is this masked hero tale from innovative director Michel (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Be Kind Rewind) Gondry. Seth Rogen is a spoiled, slacker playboy who becomes a crime fighter. He's supported by his ultra-competent valet (Jay Chou, in a role associated with Bruce Lee). Cameron Diaz and Christoph Waltz also star.
Despite being released in early January - Hollywood's normal dumping period for turkeys - The Green Hornet apparently has quite a bit going for it. 45% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, this action comedy is apparently heavily flawed but sustained by its charm and exuberance. Trailer Tuesday profile here.
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11 February
The King's Speech: Another of this year's big Oscar contenders is this British true life drama. Colin Firth stars as George VI, the royal who never expected to be king, and who struggled to overcome his embarrassing stammer to become an inspiring public speaker during the War years. Geoffrey Rush is the king's speech therapist while Helena Bonham Carter plays George's wife Elizabeth.
Released to massive critical and commercial success, The King's Speech is 95%Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Although the feel-good film unfolds relatively predictably, according to reviews it is exceptionally well acted, and every aspect of the rousing production is top-notch.
Morning Glory: Cinemagoers in the market for some fluff will probably be drawn to this comedy-drama which features the impressive teaming of Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Patrick Wilson. McAdams is an ambitious TV producer who accepts the challenge of reviving a struggling, schmaltzy morning TV show.
Morning Glory is a middling 55% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Unsurprisingly, the film has been praised for its charming cast and amusing nature. On the downside though, it's been criticised for feeling too forced and frantic, and doing nothing of meaning with its talented performers.
The Warrior's Way: East meets Wild West in this heavily CGI-ed action adventure. Jang Dong-gun is a deadly assassin who finds himself on the run when he refuses to kill a baby. Seeking refuge across the Pacific in a battered desert town, his attempt at a peaceful life is ruined when trouble comes looking for him. Geoffrey Rush and Kate Bosworth co-star.
The Warrior's Way is 35% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Mashing genres, exuberantly embracing all their cliches and doing everything to avoid realism, the surreal film apparently has the potential to be a future cult fave of fanboys. Trailer Tuesday profile here.
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18 February
127 Hours: Another big contender this awards season is this real life adventure drama from Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle. James Franco stars as mountaineer Aron Ralston, a young man caught in a desperate battle for survival when a boulder fall traps him in a remote canyon. He recounts his life while building the courage to do the unthinkable.
127 Hours is 94% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. By all accounts, Boyle has produced an electrifying movie based on events thought too static and distasteful to film. 127 Hours has garnered Oscar nominations for Best Film, Actor, Score, Song, Adapted Screenplay and Editing.
How Do You Know: This character driven romantic comedy stars Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson is 3 individuals caught up in an unexpected love triangle as each of their lives fall apart. Jack Nicholson also pops up in this latest film from As Good As It Gets writer-director James L. Brooks, so you should know what to expect tonally.
How Do You Know was a box office flop in the US and is just 30% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. "Out of touch", "laboured" and "unfunny" are the descriptions that most often pop up when describing the film, although the trio of leads are apparently charismatic enough. Rudd is especially likeable, as usual.
True Grit: Acclaimed writer-directorial team The Coen Brothers try their hand at the Western in this second adaptation (the first starred John Wayne) of Charles Portis's novel. Hailee Steinfeld is a 14 year old girl who sets out to track down the man (Josh Brolin) who killed her father. Her quest sees her cross paths with a tough US Marshall (Jeff Bridges) and a Texas Ranger (Matt Damon).
True Grit is 95% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Apparently the Coens tone down their trademark eccentricity, and combined with their usual cinematic mastery, have produced an incredibly satisfying classic Western - a real audience-pleaser . True Grit is nominated for 10 Academy Awards.
Saw 3D: Saw 3D is the SEVENTH, and supposedly last, film in this popular "torture porn" horror series. Who knows what the plot is, but this time around Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) and his followers' hapless victims have to cope with the serial killer's grisly puzzles in 3D. So expect the mandatory body mutilation and buckets of blood to be even more visceral.
Saw 3D is 11% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. It's hardly surprising but critics are sick and tired of the franchise, which has long since lost its sense of originality. Apparently not even the gimmick of 3D can save this limp and illogical 6th sequel.
Today, 4 February
Black Swan: One of this year's biggest awards contenders, Oscar-nominated psychological thriller Black Swan is the latest from The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream director Darren Aronofsky. In this tale of high art meets hysteria, Natalie Portman is a highly strung prima ballerina who may or may not be having a mental breakdown. Mila Kunis and Winona Ryder co-star.
Black Swan is 88% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Powerful, intense and brilliantly acted, Black Swan may be too messy and melodramatic for some. You can check out this blog's Trailer Tuesday profile of the film here.
Fair Game: In this real-life spy drama, Naomi Watts is a CIA operative who has her cover blown by her own government - and her family's life put in danger - when her husband Sean Penn publicly criticises the White House's "Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq" claims. The film is directed by The Bourne Identity's Doug Liman.
Fair Game is 80% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. This engaging film is driven by the excellent performances of its stars and a general sense of outrage, although, by the sounds of it your political leanings will determine whether you buy the story as infuriating truth, or Leftist propaganda.
The Green Hornet: Screening in 2D and a leisurely 3D conversion is this masked hero tale from innovative director Michel (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Be Kind Rewind) Gondry. Seth Rogen is a spoiled, slacker playboy who becomes a crime fighter. He's supported by his ultra-competent valet (Jay Chou, in a role associated with Bruce Lee). Cameron Diaz and Christoph Waltz also star.
Despite being released in early January - Hollywood's normal dumping period for turkeys - The Green Hornet apparently has quite a bit going for it. 45% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, this action comedy is apparently heavily flawed but sustained by its charm and exuberance. Trailer Tuesday profile here.
----------------------------------------------------------
11 February
The King's Speech: Another of this year's big Oscar contenders is this British true life drama. Colin Firth stars as George VI, the royal who never expected to be king, and who struggled to overcome his embarrassing stammer to become an inspiring public speaker during the War years. Geoffrey Rush is the king's speech therapist while Helena Bonham Carter plays George's wife Elizabeth.
Released to massive critical and commercial success, The King's Speech is 95%Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Although the feel-good film unfolds relatively predictably, according to reviews it is exceptionally well acted, and every aspect of the rousing production is top-notch.
Morning Glory: Cinemagoers in the market for some fluff will probably be drawn to this comedy-drama which features the impressive teaming of Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Patrick Wilson. McAdams is an ambitious TV producer who accepts the challenge of reviving a struggling, schmaltzy morning TV show.
Morning Glory is a middling 55% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Unsurprisingly, the film has been praised for its charming cast and amusing nature. On the downside though, it's been criticised for feeling too forced and frantic, and doing nothing of meaning with its talented performers.
The Warrior's Way: East meets Wild West in this heavily CGI-ed action adventure. Jang Dong-gun is a deadly assassin who finds himself on the run when he refuses to kill a baby. Seeking refuge across the Pacific in a battered desert town, his attempt at a peaceful life is ruined when trouble comes looking for him. Geoffrey Rush and Kate Bosworth co-star.
The Warrior's Way is 35% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Mashing genres, exuberantly embracing all their cliches and doing everything to avoid realism, the surreal film apparently has the potential to be a future cult fave of fanboys. Trailer Tuesday profile here.
----------------------------------------------------------
18 February
127 Hours: Another big contender this awards season is this real life adventure drama from Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle. James Franco stars as mountaineer Aron Ralston, a young man caught in a desperate battle for survival when a boulder fall traps him in a remote canyon. He recounts his life while building the courage to do the unthinkable.
127 Hours is 94% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. By all accounts, Boyle has produced an electrifying movie based on events thought too static and distasteful to film. 127 Hours has garnered Oscar nominations for Best Film, Actor, Score, Song, Adapted Screenplay and Editing.
How Do You Know: This character driven romantic comedy stars Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson is 3 individuals caught up in an unexpected love triangle as each of their lives fall apart. Jack Nicholson also pops up in this latest film from As Good As It Gets writer-director James L. Brooks, so you should know what to expect tonally.
How Do You Know was a box office flop in the US and is just 30% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. "Out of touch", "laboured" and "unfunny" are the descriptions that most often pop up when describing the film, although the trio of leads are apparently charismatic enough. Rudd is especially likeable, as usual.
True Grit: Acclaimed writer-directorial team The Coen Brothers try their hand at the Western in this second adaptation (the first starred John Wayne) of Charles Portis's novel. Hailee Steinfeld is a 14 year old girl who sets out to track down the man (Josh Brolin) who killed her father. Her quest sees her cross paths with a tough US Marshall (Jeff Bridges) and a Texas Ranger (Matt Damon).
True Grit is 95% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Apparently the Coens tone down their trademark eccentricity, and combined with their usual cinematic mastery, have produced an incredibly satisfying classic Western - a real audience-pleaser . True Grit is nominated for 10 Academy Awards.
Saw 3D: Saw 3D is the SEVENTH, and supposedly last, film in this popular "torture porn" horror series. Who knows what the plot is, but this time around Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) and his followers' hapless victims have to cope with the serial killer's grisly puzzles in 3D. So expect the mandatory body mutilation and buckets of blood to be even more visceral.
Saw 3D is 11% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. It's hardly surprising but critics are sick and tired of the franchise, which has long since lost its sense of originality. Apparently not even the gimmick of 3D can save this limp and illogical 6th sequel.
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