A fine assortment of films for your entertainmen this week, including fresh takes on Shakespeare classics, indie gems from Spain and Afghanistan, and the return of Kick-Ass and Hit Girl.
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Opening today:
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MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING……FILM OF THE WEEK
USA | 107 minutes | Comedy, Drama, Romanace
Director: Joss Whedon (The Avengers, Serenity)
Cast: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Reed Diamond, Clark Gregg, Fran Kranz, Sean Maher, Jillian Morgese, Nathan Fillion
Shakespeare’s romantic comedy about two pairs of lovers is given a modern-day setting and a low-budget twist by master filmmaker Joss Whedon – filmed at his Santa Monica home.
I saw this at the recent NZIFF and it’s an absolute delight.
Distributor: Rialto Distribution
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KICK-ASS 2
USA/UK | 103 minutes | Action, Comedy
Director: Jeff Wadlow (Never Back Down, Cry Wolf)
Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jim Carrey, Lyndsy Fonseca, Donald Faison, Clark Duke, Morris Chestnut, John Leguizamo
Kick-Ass and Hit Girl re-team to take on Red Mist’s new alter-ego, and world’s first supervillian, The M*therf*cker – hell bent on making Kick-Ass pay for the death of his gangster father.
It’s a tough ask to top the original. I just hope this comes close.
Distributor: Paramount
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TASTING MENU
Spain | 83 minutes | Comedy
Director: Roger Gual (Smoking Room)
Cast: Fionnula Flanagan, Timothy Gibbs, Stephen Rea, Togo Igawa, Claudia Bassols, Jan Cornet
A couple reserves a table at the best restaurant in the world a year ahead. When the day arrives, they’re separated and it is the last night the restaurant will be open. None of them will miss the culinary event of the century.
Looks light and tasty fare.
Distributor: Vendetta Films
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THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES
USA, Germany | 130 minutes | Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Director: Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid)
Cast: Lena Headey, Lily Collins, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jamie Campbell Bower, Aidan Turner, Kevin Zegers, Jemima West
A young girl discovers she descended from a line of warriors who protect our world from demons.
With a sequel already slated for 2014, the producers are banking on this picking up where Twilight left off.
Distributor: Roadshow Distribution
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THE PATIENCE STONE
Afganistan, France | 98 minutes | Drama, War
Director: Atiq Rahimi (Earth and Ashes)
Cast: Golshifteh Farahani, Massi Mrowat, Hamid Djavadan, Hassina Burgan
Author Atiq Rahimi’s adapts his own bestselling novel about a Muslim woman whose paralysed husband unconsciously assumes the role of a magical force, which shields her from the sorrows of life in her war-torn village.
This should be powerful and moving.
Distribution: Rialto Distribution
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Which of these will you be watching?
