Last week I used the word plethora to describe the sheer number of movies being offered up for our enjoyment. I have no idea how to describe this week… Mega-Plethora? Sounds like something Godzilla would fight. Sweet!
So among the mega-plethora of films on offer this week we have a new Jo Nesbo adaptation, a road trip with a promiscuous Kristen Stewart (her character that is…), the return of Oliver Stone, Ben Stiller taking on aliens, another Resident Evil abomination incarnation, and another two Kiwi docos!
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Here are the films that opened today:
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JO NESBO’S JACKPOT.…..FILM OF THE WEEK
Norway | 82 minutes | Director: Magnus Martens (United)
If you know Jo Nesbo, you’re probably gonna enjoy this. If not, you’ll most likely enjoy it anyway. A crime comedy Norwegian style. If this movie were a child, its godparents would be Guy Richie’s and Quentin Tarantino’s Norwegian twins.
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ON THE ROAD
USA, UK, France | 137 minutes | Director: Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries)
Based on the semi-autobiographical Jack Kerouac novel, the film depicts the ultimate Beat Generation road trip. Garret Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) swaps his lightcycle for a 1947 Cadillac, among other classic cars, and takes Sam Riley (Control) and Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga) along for the ride.
http://youtu.be/N9vsE0llyBM
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RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION
USA, Germany | 95 minutes | Director: Paul W.S. Anderson (the entire Resident Evil series)
Ok, I was a bit harsh in my introduction (never judge a flick before seeing it, right?). Fans of the series will no doubt love this latest outing. And why wouldn’t they? Evil still abounds, Umbrella Corporation is still running amuck, and Alice (Milla Jovovich) still has no clue what the heck is going on but will continue to kick some serious ass in serious slow motion.
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THE LAST OCEAN
New Zealand | 90 minutes | Director: Peter Young (feature debut)
The forth New Zealand documentary in as many weeks (bloody brilliant!), this one takes a look at the devastating effects of over-fishing in the Antarctic Ross Sea, via the lens of nature cameraman Peter Young. This film first screened at this year’s NZIFF.
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SAVAGES
USA | 130 minutes | Director: Oliver Stone (Platoon)
Can Oliver Stone redeem himself after the less than stellar Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps? Not if reviews are to be believed. I do quite like the trailer though – I wonder if these are the best two minutes?
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YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
USA | 90 minutes | Director: Lynn Shelton (Humpday)
A man, his best friend and his best friend’s sister. Sounds like things will get a tad complicated in this dramedy starring Emily Blunt (The Five Year Engagement), Mark Duplass (Humpday) and Rosemarie DeWitt (The Company of Men).
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WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE
Taiwan | 120 minutes | Director: Te-Sheng Wei (Cape No. 7)
A war drama produced by John Woo. You know what you’re gonna get here. Boy does this look epic!
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THE WATCH
USA | 102 minutes | Director: Akiva Schaffer (Hot Rod)
You already know if you’re going to see this one or not. Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill are a neighbourhood watch group defending the earth from an alien invasion.
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BOUND FOR PLEASURE
New Zealand | 73 minutes | Director: David Blyth (Wound)
Yet another New Zealand doco that shows us a very unique slice of life (didn’t I say that last week?). This time it’s the world of mistresses and slaves in Auckland. Do you need to see a trailer? No? Phew, ’cause there isn’t one.
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Films opening tomorrow:
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BARFI!
India | 151 minutes | Director: Anurag Basu
A Bollywood romance about Barfi and his bitter-sweet relationship with two beautiful young ladies. Wait! What? Two beautiful young ladies? Well, isn’t this lad quite the charmer…
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DIL TENU KARDA HAI PYAAR
India | Director: Ayaj Pannalal (feature debut)
A Punjabi rom-com. I think they should add ‘mystery’ to its genre, as I couldn’t for the life of me find a synopsis, runtime or trailer with English subtitles.
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Will you be seeing any of these?
