Monsters reign this week; whether it be giant manga-inspired behemoths hell-bent on annihilating us all or more family-friendly creatures interested in tickling our funny bones.
But if monsters aren’t your bag, there’s also an indie drama, a buddy-cop comedy and a bit of (not so) live theatre.
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Opening today:
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MONSTERS UNIVERSITY……FILM OF THE WEEK
USA | 110 minutes | Animation, Comedy
Director: Dan Scanlon (Mater and the Ghostlight)
Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Jennifer Tilly, Steve Buscemi, Frank Oz, John Ratzenberger, Helen Mirren, Charlie Day, Alfred Molina, Aubrey Plaza, Nathan Fillion, Bill Hader
The prequel to Monsters Inc. takes us back to where the bromance first began – the hallowed halls of MU (aka Monsters University). But before Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan became best buds, they were fierce rivals; both with dreams of becoming champion scarers.
Monsters Inc. is my favourite Pixar film and this prequel looks every bit as entertaining. Pixar, you’re back on form!
Distributor: Walt Disney
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EPIC
USA | 102 minutes | Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Director: Chris Wedge (Ice Age, Robots)
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Colin Farrell, Jason Sudeikis, Beyoncé Knowles, Johnny Knoxville, Aziz Ansari, Steven Tyler
A teenage girl is transported to a secret universe of Leaf Men and Brave Bugs, where she becomes embroiled in their fight against a Spider Queen and her army.
Looks like fine family fun. Hopefully it caters to adults and children alike.
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
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NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: THE AUDIENCE
UK | 154 minutes | Live, Drama
Director: Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours)
Cast: Helen Mirren, Michael Elwyn, Haydn Gwynne, Robert Hardy, Richard McCabe, Nathaniel Parker, Paul Ritter, Rufus Wright
Live UK theatre depicting a series of pivotal meetings between Downing Street incumbents and their Queen.
Helen Mirren back as QEII. Sold!
Distributor: Rialto
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PACIFIC RIM
USA | 131 minutes | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Director: Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy)
Cast: Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Ron Perlman, Burn Gorman
Giant robots must battle humongous monsters to save humanity. Need I say more?
Prepare for silver screen carnage on a truly epic scale.
Distributor: Warner Bros
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THE HEAT
USA | 116 minutes | Comedy
Director: Paul Feig (Bridesmaids)
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Taran Killam, Kaitlin Olson, Michael Rapaport, Thomas F. Wilson, Tony Hale, Demián Bichir
An uptight FBI Agent and a foul-mouthed cop must join forces to bring down a drug lord.
Can Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy breath new life into the tired buddy-cop sub-genre? Fans of Bridesmaids will likely enjoy this.
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
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TWICE BORN
Italy, Spain | 124 minutes | Drama, Romance
Director: Sergio Castellitto (Don’t Move, Love & Slaps)
Cast: Penélope Cruz, Emile Hirsch, Adnan Hasković, Pietro Castellitto, Saadet Aksoy, Luca De Filippo, Jane Birkin
After losing her husband during the Bosnian War, a woman escapes Sarajevo with her newborn child; but returns sixteen years later to visit the city of his birth and discover his father’s story.
Sounds sweeping and poignant. But can this live up to its promise?
Distributor: Madman
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So, are you feeling monster-ous?
