Movies out today: LA Untouchables and French Intouchables

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After the release of all the festive season blockbusters, we've got a couple of quieter weeks before the high profile Oscar nominees are unleashed. As a result, today there are only 2 new movies hitting South African cinemas.

Gangster Squad:
From the director of Zombieland comes this high-style crime actioner. Set in Los Angeles during the 1940 and 50s, the film sees Josh Brolin lead a band of cops (including Ryan Gosling, Michael Pena, Giovanni Ribisi and Robert Patrick) against Sean Penn's freshly arrived East Coast crime boss. Also with Emma Stone and Nick Nolte.

Currently sitting with an aggregated review score of 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, Gangster Squad is apparently sleek, glossy and far, far removed from reality. It's fine for some bloody escapism but if you're looking for another LA Confidential, this one is way too lightweight.


The Intouchables:
Screening in limited release is this French comedy-drama about the life-altering friendship that develops between a quadriplegic millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his immigrant care-giver (Omar Sy).

Featuring comparisons to Driving Miss Daisy, The Intouchables has been a smash hit with international audiences, breaking box office records all over the world for a French-language film. Although cynical critics have dismissed it as an unrealistic, if touching, crowd-pleaser,  it's still been accumulating accolades. 75% Fresh.


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