Movies out today: From Breaking Dawn to the Cold Light of Day
Four new movies open in South African cinemas today, although it's clear from the outset who the big box office winner will be...
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2:
Long-suffering boyfriends and haters can breathe a sigh of relief. Five movies later, the soap opera-styled film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer's supernatural romance novels is finally drawing to a close. For now. In the final installment, Bella (Kristen Stewart) enjoys her "rebirth" as a vampire alongside undead hubby Edward (Robert Pattinson) and their hybrid vamp-human daughter. Unfortunately, the couple's happiness is short-lived as the powerful Volturi clan finally has an excuse to destroy the Cullen vampires. Time for the ultimate face-off!
Personally I find it hard to believe that Breaking Dawn: Part 2 is particularly good. The book was tedious, with an overlong, aborted climax... but perhaps the filmmakers have fixed that? Currently the movie is sitting with an aggregated Rotten Tomatoes review score of 55% Fresh. Evidently Part 2 gives Twihards the finale they've been waiting for, while non-fans have a bloody - if schlocky - battle to appreciate in the film's final act. Ultimately I think it's safe to say that your attitude to the other Twilight flicks will determine your response to this one. My expectation? Just adequate; neither awful or awesome.
The Cold Light of Day:
Before we see him in the signature tights, cape and S-curl, catch new Superman Henry Cavill in this action thriller. He plays a young man on the run when his family is kidnapped during a Spanish vacation, and his father (Bruce Willis) is revealed as a CIA agent. Meanwhile, Sigourney Weaver lurks as a morally ambiguous intelligence officer.
Despite a high profile cast, The Cold Light of Day has not been well received. In fact I've yet to read a single positive comment about the film, which has racked up a Rotten Tomatoes review score of 6%. Ow. Apparently it's dumb, boring and about as generic as they come.
Peace, Love and Misunderstanding:
If you prefer your movie entertainment a bit more grounded and family focused, check out this indie comedy-drama. Catherine Keener plays an uptight divorcee who heads to the country (Woodstock, in fact) to reconnect with her hippie mother (Jane Fonda) after 20 years of feuding. Rounding out the cast are Elizabeth Olsen, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chace Crawford, Kyle MacLachlan and Rosanna Arquette.
It's apparently sweet and enjoyable enough, but viewers really shouldn't expect too much of Peace, Love and Misunderstanding. Even though there's plenty of acting talent onscreen, the film has little interest in mining dramatic depths; keeping things fluffy and predictable instead. 29% Fresh.
Sammy 2:
Screening in 2D and 3D is this CGI-animated adventure - the sequel to the surprisingly popular Belgian film Sammy's Adventures. This time the film centres on leatherback turtle hatchlings Ricky and Ella, who, with a band of wacky aquatic friends, try to rescue elderly Sammy (the hero of the original film) from a Dubai aquarium.
Sammy 2 looks like a blatant Finding Nemo rip-off but obviously there's a big market for this kind of thing.Word is that this one is cutesy fun for the kiddies but will leave adults bored. P.S. I don't know what it is about these films but the 3D in the trailers is agonising on the eyes.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2:
Long-suffering boyfriends and haters can breathe a sigh of relief. Five movies later, the soap opera-styled film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer's supernatural romance novels is finally drawing to a close. For now. In the final installment, Bella (Kristen Stewart) enjoys her "rebirth" as a vampire alongside undead hubby Edward (Robert Pattinson) and their hybrid vamp-human daughter. Unfortunately, the couple's happiness is short-lived as the powerful Volturi clan finally has an excuse to destroy the Cullen vampires. Time for the ultimate face-off!
Personally I find it hard to believe that Breaking Dawn: Part 2 is particularly good. The book was tedious, with an overlong, aborted climax... but perhaps the filmmakers have fixed that? Currently the movie is sitting with an aggregated Rotten Tomatoes review score of 55% Fresh. Evidently Part 2 gives Twihards the finale they've been waiting for, while non-fans have a bloody - if schlocky - battle to appreciate in the film's final act. Ultimately I think it's safe to say that your attitude to the other Twilight flicks will determine your response to this one. My expectation? Just adequate; neither awful or awesome.
The Cold Light of Day:
Before we see him in the signature tights, cape and S-curl, catch new Superman Henry Cavill in this action thriller. He plays a young man on the run when his family is kidnapped during a Spanish vacation, and his father (Bruce Willis) is revealed as a CIA agent. Meanwhile, Sigourney Weaver lurks as a morally ambiguous intelligence officer.
Despite a high profile cast, The Cold Light of Day has not been well received. In fact I've yet to read a single positive comment about the film, which has racked up a Rotten Tomatoes review score of 6%. Ow. Apparently it's dumb, boring and about as generic as they come.
Peace, Love and Misunderstanding:
If you prefer your movie entertainment a bit more grounded and family focused, check out this indie comedy-drama. Catherine Keener plays an uptight divorcee who heads to the country (Woodstock, in fact) to reconnect with her hippie mother (Jane Fonda) after 20 years of feuding. Rounding out the cast are Elizabeth Olsen, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chace Crawford, Kyle MacLachlan and Rosanna Arquette.
It's apparently sweet and enjoyable enough, but viewers really shouldn't expect too much of Peace, Love and Misunderstanding. Even though there's plenty of acting talent onscreen, the film has little interest in mining dramatic depths; keeping things fluffy and predictable instead. 29% Fresh.
Sammy 2:
Screening in 2D and 3D is this CGI-animated adventure - the sequel to the surprisingly popular Belgian film Sammy's Adventures. This time the film centres on leatherback turtle hatchlings Ricky and Ella, who, with a band of wacky aquatic friends, try to rescue elderly Sammy (the hero of the original film) from a Dubai aquarium.
Sammy 2 looks like a blatant Finding Nemo rip-off but obviously there's a big market for this kind of thing.Word is that this one is cutesy fun for the kiddies but will leave adults bored. P.S. I don't know what it is about these films but the 3D in the trailers is agonising on the eyes.
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