Four incredibly different films for you this week. A unique twist on Shakespeare, a life dedicated to faith and gardening, divorce seen through the eyes of a young girl, and the return of everyone’s favourite Furyan.
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Opening today:
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ROMEO AND JULIET: A LOVE SONG……FILM OF THE WEEK
New Zealand | 107 minutes | Drama, Musical, Romance
Director: Tim van Dammen (debut feature)
Cast: Christopher Landon, Derya Parlak, Dan Veint, Todd Emerson, Sarah Houbolt, Anton Tennet, Sarah Valentine, Cameron Rhodes, Dallas Barnett
You thought Baz Luhrman had done a revisionist R & J – but here’s Shakespeare’s most famous play as you’ve never seen or heard it before. The tale of two lovers and their feuding families takes place in New Zealand, in summer, at a caravan park. Oh, and it’s a rock-opera!
It’s Shakespeare, as a rock-opera, set in a Kiwi caravan park. Need I say more?
Distributor: Rialto Distribution
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RIDDICK
USA | 118 minutes | Action, Sci-Fi
Director: David Twohy (The Chronicles of Riddick, Pitch Black)
Cast: Vin Diesel, Jordi Mollà, Matt Nable, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine, Raoul Trujillo, Conrad Pla, Danny Blanco Hall, Noah Danby, Neil Napier, Nolan Gerard Funk, Karl Urban
Vin Diesel’s super badass Furyan returns to the big screen. This time he’s marooned on a planet full of rather unpleasant creatures, and the only way off is to trigger an emergency beacon that will bring mercenaries down on his head.
It probably won’t live up to Pitch Black but here’s hoping it brings a little of that magic back.
Distributor: Roadshow Distribution
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GARDENING WITH SOUL
New Zealand | 100 minutes | Documentary
Director: Jess Feast (Cowboys and Communities)
Featuring: Sister Loyola Galvin
Sister Loyola Galvin, the 90-year-old Island Bay resident and gardener at the Home of Compassion, shares her insights on faith and agriculture.
Kate was very taken by this film at NZIFF. Here’s her review.
Distributor: Unknown
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WHAT MAISIE KNEW
USA | 93 minutes | Drama
Directors: Scott McGehee, David Siegel (Uncertainty, Bee Season)
Cast: Julianne Moore, Steve Coogan, Alexander Skarsgard, Onata Aprile, Joanna Vanderham, Sadie Rae, Jesse Stone Spadaccini, Diana Garcia, Amelia Campbell, Maddie Corman, Paddy Croft, Trevor Long
A bitter divorce as seen through the eyes of a seven-year-old girl.
Saw this at NZIFF. It’s an engaging yet uncomfortable watch.
Distributor: Madman Entertainment
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What’s your pick?
