Five films this week: aliens get trapped on Earth, a disgraced bodyguard must save the President, twenty-somethings are possessed by demons, the evolution of the Black Power movement, and the origins of the Rasta movement.
Two of these are documentaries. I think you can guess which.
The films opening today:
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THE BLACK POWER MIXTAPE: 1967-1975……FILM OF THE WEEK
Sweden, USA | 100 minutes | Documentary
Director: Göran Hugo Olsson (Am I Black Enough for You)
Stars: Angela Davis, Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Erykah Badu, Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover, Talib Kweli
Swedish filmmakers visited America to document the Black Power movement of the late sixties and early seventies. That footage was never released, until now – after it was found in the cellar of a Swedish TV Station.
A fascinating looking ‘found footage’ doco, with a killer soundtrack.
Opening in Auckland first, then hopefully travelling around the country.
Distributor: Curious Film
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OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN
USA | 119 minutes | Action
Director: Antoine Fuqua (Shooter, Training Day)
Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Ashley Judd, Dylan McDermott, Radha Mitchell, Morgan Jaye Williams, Melissa Leo, Angela Bassett, Cole Hauser, Robert Forster
When terrorists take over The White House, and kidnap the President, it’s up to a disgraced Presidential bodyguard to save the day.
Could be a riot or a complete disaster – although it could hardly be worse than A Good Day to Die Hard. Good director and great cast.
Distributor: Roadshow Distribution
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ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH
USA, Canada | 89 minutes | Animation, Comedy, Family
Director: Cal Brunker (Ninjamaica)
Cast: Rob Corddry, Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jane Lynch, Jessica Alba, William Shatner, Ricky Gervais, Craig Robinson
When one half of an alien superstar team of exploring brothers is captured on a notoriously dangerous planet, Earth, it’s up to the introverted one – the brains of the operation – to undertake a daring rescue.
Looks fun. Hopefully there’s enough in it for adults as well as kids.
Distributor: Roadshow Distribution
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THE FIRST RASTA
France, Mauritius | 86 minutes | Documentary
Director: Hélène Lee, Christophe Farnarier (Debut Feature)
Stars: Leonard Percival Lowell
A documentary tracing the origin of the Rasta movement. Detailing the experiences of founder Leornard Percival Howell, we discover a movement very different from the cliche we know today.
Unfortunately there’s no trailer, but this will no doubt be a fascinating insight.
(Clip)
Distributor: Unknown
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Film opening tomorrow:
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EVIL DEAD
USA | 92 minutes | Horror
Director: Fede Alvarez (Debut Feature)
Cast: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas, Lou Taylor Pucci, Elizabeth Blackmore
Remake of the Sam Raimi classic – filmed in Auckland. A group of twenty-somethings head to a remote cabin where they discover a Book of the Dead and unwittingly summon some demons.
This won’t be everyone’s cut of tea, and the humour of the original is gone. But the practical effects look unbelievably freaky and, if the trailer’s anything to go by, there’ll be plenty of scary moments.
Opens in Wellington this week and Auckland next week. Hopefully the rest of the country gets to see this too.
(Red Band Trailer)
Distributor: Sony Pictures NZ
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You interested in fact or fiction?
