If you believe the hype, this week’s crop of films is somewhat underwhelming. However there’s enough variety here to something to enjoy: a throw-back to 80’s action, Princess Di’s final years, B-boys battling it out, a trippy Metallica flick, and Machete killing more bad guys with his machete…and other assorted weapons.
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Opening today:
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2 GUNS……FILM OF THE WEEK
USA | 109 minutes | Action, Drama
Director: Baltasar Kormákur (Contraband, The Deep)
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, James Marsden, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton, Edward James Olmos, Christopher Matthew Cook, Evie Thompson
Disowned by their respective agencies after a botched attempt to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel, two undercover operatives must team up to take down the bad guys – if they don’t kill each other first.
Unlikely to be more than a good old school action romp but, hey, it’s been a while since we had a decent one of those. Great cast and the trailer shows promise.
Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing
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BATTLE OF THE YEAR
USA | 110 minutes | Drama, Sport
Director: Benson Lee (Planet B-boy)
Cast: Josh Peck, Josh Holloway, Chris Brown, Laz Alonso, Caity Lotz, Terrence Jenkins, Weronika Rosati, Luis Rosado
A hip hop mogul and former B-boy enlists a champion basketball coach to help the US B-boy team win Battle of the Year (“the Olympics of breakdancing”) – a title they’ve not held for 15 years.
Great dance moves but a truly terrible trailer. Anyone else chuckle when Chris Brown was sent to the detention centre?
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DIANA
UK | 113 minutes | Biography, Drama, Romance
Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall, The Invasion)
Cast: Naomi Watts, Naveen Andrews, Cas Anvar, Lee Asquith-Coe, Geraldine James, Juliet Stevenson
Biopic covering Princess Diana’s last years and focusing on her relationship with heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan.
I know we shouldn’t listen to critics, but when a film is polling at 3% on Rotten Tomatoes you know something’s not right. Be warned.
Distributor: Becker Entertainment
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MACHETE KILLS
USA | 1007 minutes | Action, Comedy
Director: Robert Rodriguez (Machete, Sin City, Desperado)
Cast: Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofía Vergara, Amber Heard, Mel Gibson, Jessica Alba, Charlie Sheen, Antonio Banderas, Vanessa Hudgens, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lady Gaga
The ultimate Mexican badass returns to take on mad Mel Gibson’s eccentric billionaire Arms dealer.
If you’re a fan of the original, then this nitrous-infused sequel should hit the spot. Killer cast too.
Distributor: Studiocanal Ltd
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METALLICA: THROUGH THE NEVER
USA | 93 minutes | Documentary, Drama, Music
Director: Nimród Antal (Predators, Vacancy)
Cast: Dane DeHaan, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, Mackenzie Gray
A roadie for Metallica has a wild adventure during an epic arena concert.
A concert film with a surreal narrative? Hell, it’s Metallica…they can do whatever the f**k they want.
Distributor: Rialto Distribution
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YOUNG DETECTIVE DEE: RISE OF THE SEA DRAGONS
China | 133 minutes | Action, Adventure, Drama Fantasy
Director: Hark Tsui (‘Flying Swords of Dragon Gate’, ‘Once Upon a Time in China’)
Cast: Mark Chao, Feng Shaofeng, Angelababy, Kim Bum, Lin Gengxin, Carina Lau
A young officer in the Chinese Imperial police force finda himself tangled up in a conspiracy of treachery, betrayal and sea monsters – yes, sea monsters!
If you like epic Asian martial arts fantasy films, then this should fit the bill nicely.
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Which of this motley crew might you be watching?
