A septet of films this week, including a Spanish take on Snow White, a rather eccentric French indie, an Italian gem starring Geoffry Rush and a journey back to the golden era of Formula 1.
And plenty to see in 3D, if you’re a fan of those crazy little blue Smurfs, the Percy Jackson franchise, or the band One Direction.
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Opening today:
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RUSH……FILM OF THE WEEK
USA, Germany, UK | 123 minutes | Drama, Sport
Director: Ron Howard (The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13)
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl, Olivia Wilde, Natalie Dormer, Alexandra Maria Lara, Pierfrancesco Favino, Christian McKay
The dramatic F1 season of 1976 saw charismatic playboy James Hunt take on the methodical, driven Niki Lauda – a rivalry that would push both drivers to the very edge.
As a fan of F1, I’m already in. But this looks a thrilling ride for for fans and non-fans alike.
Distributor: Rialto Distribution
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BLANCANIEVES
Spain | 104 minutes | Drama
Director: Pablo Berger (Torremolinos 73, Mama)
Cast: Maribel Verdu, Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Angela Molina, Pere Ponce, Macarena Garcia, Sofia Oria, Josep Maria Pou
A homage to old school European cinema and inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Snow White, this story follows a young girl who runs away from her evil stepmother to become a bullfighter.
Was gutted to miss this at NZIFF, so I’m glad to see it on the big screen now.
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MOOD INDIGO
Director: Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep)
Cast: Audrey Tautou, Romain Duris, Omar Sy, Gad Elmaleh, Alain Chabat
An eccentric look at love and loss, as a wealthy young man falls in love with the incarnation of a Duke Ellington tune only for her to fall ill after their wedding day.
An absolute visual treat, but Kate and I were not taken at all by the story at NZIFF. 30+ minutes of cuts later… things could be a different story
Distributor: Vendetta
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ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US
USA | 92 Minutes | Documentary, Music
Director: Morgan Spurlock (The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Super Size Me)
Featuring: Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan
A look at the phenomenon of the world’s current number one boy band, exploring their humble beginnings and the insane teen hysteria – with a few songs thrown in for good measure.
If you’re a 1D fan, you probably have tickets already. Morgan Spurlock directs, so this should be more interesting than your run-of-the-mill behind-the-scenes doco.
Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing
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PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS
USA | 106 minutes | Action, Fantasy
Director: Thor Freudenthal (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hotel for Dogs)
Cast: Logan Lerman, Nathan Fillion, Jake Abel, Alexandra Daddario, Stanley Tucci, Leven Rambin, Missi Pyle, Brandon T. Jackson
In this second installment, Percy must find the magical Golden Fleece in order to save Half Blood Hill from wild array of demons and monsters.
I haven’t seen the first one but this looks to up the ante for PJ fans.
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
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THE BEST OFFER
Italy | 131 minutes | Drama, Thriller, Romance
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso, Malena, The Legend of 1900)
Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Donald Sutherland, Sylvia Hoeks, Liya Kebede, Philip Jackson, Dermot Crowley, Kiruna Stamell
An reknowned auctioneer becomes fascinated with a mysterious young women who asks him to sell her family’s possessions.
Geoffrey Rush and Giuseppe Tornatore, the director of Cinema Paradiso…this will be an absolute treat.
Distributor: Transmission Films
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THE SMURFS 2
USA | 105 minutes | Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Director: Raja Gosnell (The Smurfs, Scooby Doo)
Cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, George Lopez, Hank Azaria, Alan Cumming, Brendan Gleeson, Anton Yelchin, Sofía Vergara, Christina Ricci
The evil wizard Gargamel creates some mischievious Smurf-like creatures, called the Naughties, who kidnap the fair Smurfette to harness the all-powerful Smurf essence. So it’s Neil Patrick Harris to the rescue!
I wasn’t moved to see the first installment…but if you were a fan, then this sequel should tick all the boxes.
Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing
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What will you be racing into the cinema to see?
