Movies out today: Bad guys, antiheroes and award nominees
It's a super weekend at the South African box office. Four new movies open today and apparently you're in for a treat with every single one of them. Watch away!
Argo:
Currently up for seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture), the multi-award winning Argo mixes thrills and comedy to tell an amazing true story. Ben Affleck - who also directs - plays a CIA agent charged with getting six US citizens out of Tehran in tumultuous 1979. The best bad idea? Masquerading as a Canadian filmmaker who needs exotic locations for his new sci-fi adventure. Also with Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman and many more familiar faces.
In his review, Kervyn at The Movies.co.za was blown away by Argo's skillful transition between clashing tones, and all-round sense of craft. International critics agree. With an aggregated Rotten Tomatoes rating of 96% Fresh, Argo is smart, exciting and unquestionably one of the best, most entertaining movies of 2012.
Wreck-It Ralph:
Screening in 3D and 2D is this CGI comedy-adventure from Disney, sure to delight all the gamers in the family. John C Reilly voices the title character, the much maligned villain of a popular arcade game. Tired of being the bad guy he "game jumps", which throws the arcade into chaos. Also with the voices of Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch and more. Trailer Tuesday profile.
Colourful, creative and nostalgic - not to mentioned packed full of references to arcade classics - Wreck-It Ralph may be the best movie ever made about video games. A commercial and critical success, it sports a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 87% Fresh. Plus it's in the running for Best Animated Feature at this year's Oscars.
Flight:
Director Robert Zemeckis returns to live-action cinema after a decade of fiddling with motion-capture animation. In this decidedly R-rated drama, Denzel Washington plays an airline pilot whose heroic actions throw the media spotlight on his alcoholism and other destructive behaviour. Also with Don Cheadle and John Goodman. Trailer Tuesday profile.
Although Flight is a far cry from Zemeckis's family-friendly blockbusters like Back to the Future and Forrest Gump, the film has been well received critically. Washington is apparently quite superb, while the film itself is a sophisticated and engrossing character study. Flight is currently in the running for two Academy Awards - for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. 77% Fresh.
Lawless:
From the director of The Road comes this Prohibition Era crime drama. Based on a true story, it focuses on a trio of brothers (Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Jason Clarke) whose bootlegging business in rural Virginia brings them to the attention of the corrupt authorities (headed by Guy Pearce) who want a slice of the profits. Also with Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and Gary Oldman.
If Gangster Squad was too stylised for you, you may prefer Lawless with its grittier aesthetic, strong performances and arthouse leanings. It's apparently best during its brutal action scenes though, struggling to remain compelling during its quieter moments because of its formulaic "gangster movie" plot. 67% Fresh.
Argo:
Currently up for seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture), the multi-award winning Argo mixes thrills and comedy to tell an amazing true story. Ben Affleck - who also directs - plays a CIA agent charged with getting six US citizens out of Tehran in tumultuous 1979. The best bad idea? Masquerading as a Canadian filmmaker who needs exotic locations for his new sci-fi adventure. Also with Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman and many more familiar faces.
In his review, Kervyn at The Movies.co.za was blown away by Argo's skillful transition between clashing tones, and all-round sense of craft. International critics agree. With an aggregated Rotten Tomatoes rating of 96% Fresh, Argo is smart, exciting and unquestionably one of the best, most entertaining movies of 2012.
Wreck-It Ralph:
Screening in 3D and 2D is this CGI comedy-adventure from Disney, sure to delight all the gamers in the family. John C Reilly voices the title character, the much maligned villain of a popular arcade game. Tired of being the bad guy he "game jumps", which throws the arcade into chaos. Also with the voices of Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch and more. Trailer Tuesday profile.
Colourful, creative and nostalgic - not to mentioned packed full of references to arcade classics - Wreck-It Ralph may be the best movie ever made about video games. A commercial and critical success, it sports a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 87% Fresh. Plus it's in the running for Best Animated Feature at this year's Oscars.
Flight:
Director Robert Zemeckis returns to live-action cinema after a decade of fiddling with motion-capture animation. In this decidedly R-rated drama, Denzel Washington plays an airline pilot whose heroic actions throw the media spotlight on his alcoholism and other destructive behaviour. Also with Don Cheadle and John Goodman. Trailer Tuesday profile.
Although Flight is a far cry from Zemeckis's family-friendly blockbusters like Back to the Future and Forrest Gump, the film has been well received critically. Washington is apparently quite superb, while the film itself is a sophisticated and engrossing character study. Flight is currently in the running for two Academy Awards - for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. 77% Fresh.
Lawless:
From the director of The Road comes this Prohibition Era crime drama. Based on a true story, it focuses on a trio of brothers (Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Jason Clarke) whose bootlegging business in rural Virginia brings them to the attention of the corrupt authorities (headed by Guy Pearce) who want a slice of the profits. Also with Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and Gary Oldman.
If Gangster Squad was too stylised for you, you may prefer Lawless with its grittier aesthetic, strong performances and arthouse leanings. It's apparently best during its brutal action scenes though, struggling to remain compelling during its quieter moments because of its formulaic "gangster movie" plot. 67% Fresh.
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